The state of Illinois is situated in the Midwestern part of the United States. The state has the sixth-largest population, the 25th-largest land area, and the fifth-largest gross domestic product (GDP). Nicknamed ‘the Prairie State’, the state’s motto is “State Sovereignty, National Union”. It is famous for agricultural productivity, dairy products, manufacturing, and soybean production. It is also a pioneer in food and meat processing. It is notable for cattle production and is a well-established state in social, cultural, and political views.
The state is a major transportation hub with road networks and routes connecting to international ports via its proximity to Lake Michigan. Some of its boundaries are formed by the Mississippi, Ohio, and Wabash rivers.
When farmers started settling on the Illinois prairie, they discovered that the thick soil was not easy to sow. Then, a Vermont blacksmith named John Deere made the work easier with the invention of the steel plow that cut soil more efficiently than previous tools. Afterward, railroads and shipping lines grew with farms in the rich prairies as settlers spread across the state.
Many past U.S. presidents including Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Barack Obama are known to consider Illinois as home.
Traveling around the state, one can glimpse nature’s wonders through Floyd Lloyd Wright’s designs. One can also take a tour to enjoy his architecture in Oak Park, Starved Rock State Park, and Horseshoe Mound. With so much to explore and see, Illinois is truly a place for urban and outdoor enjoyment.
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