Chicago, Illinois, covers about 60,000 hectares and sits on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. Chicago is threaded by the Chicago and Calumet rivers, has extensive parklands, and attracts 86 million visitors annually. Chicago thrives on the harmony and diversity of its neighborhoods and reflects the ideals of its 77 distinct neighborhoods.
Illinois is in the Midwestern region of the U.S. The Mississippi River, the Ohio River, and the Wabash River form parts of Illinois’ boundaries. The state’s capital city is Springfield, but the largest concentration of population is in its northeast. Chicago is the largest city and the largest metro area. There are about 12,812,500 people living in 57,915 square miles.