Illinois River

This article is about the river in the U.S. state of Illinois. For other rivers with this name see Illinois River (disambiguation).

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The Illinois River is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 273 miles (439 km) long, in the state of Illinois in the United States. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of 40,000 square miles (104,000 km²). The river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route connecting the Great Lakes with the Mississippi. The colonial settlements along the river formed the heart of the area known as the Illinois Country. After the construction of a canal in the 19th century, the river's role as link between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi was extended into the era of modern industrial shipping.

Related Topics:
Mississippi River - Illinois - United States - 104,000 km² - Native American - French - Great Lakes - Illinois Country - 19th century - Lake Michigan

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