Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

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Chicago, colloquially known as the Second City and the Windy City, is the third-largest city in population in the United States and the largest inland city in the country. Chicago is located in the Midwestern state of Illinois along the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan.

Related Topics:
United States - Midwestern - State - Illinois - Lake Michigan

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Chicago's population of 2,896,016 (2000 census) makes it the tenth-most-populous in the Western Hemisphere and the 62nd largest in the world. When combined with its suburbs and eight surrounding counties, the greater metropolitan area known as Chicagoland encompasses more than 9 million people.

Related Topics:
2000 census - Western Hemisphere - Metropolitan area - Chicagoland

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Growing from a frontier town in 1833 to one of the world's premier cities, Chicago is ranked as one of 10 "Alpha" (most influential) world cities by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network. The city has long been known as a financial, industrial, and transportation center and for its ethnic diversity. Chicago's skyscrapers, local cuisine, political traditions, and sports teams are some of the most recognized symbols of the city. A variety of colloquial nicknames reflect Chicago's unique character.

Related Topics:
Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network - Colloquial nicknames

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A resident of Chicago is referred to as a Chicagoan. About one-third each of Chicagoans are White or African-American, with a sizeable Hispanic minority and small amounts of other ethnic groups. Chicago also has many dozen distinct neighborhoods to match the ethnic diversity; the city is divided into 77 official community areas.

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