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Chicago

Chicago-Travel-Guide-Travel-S-Helper

Chicago, the most populous city in Illinois and the Midwestern United States, has a population of 2,746,388 according to the 2020 census. After New York City and Los Angeles, this makes the third-most populous city in the United States. Often referred to as “Chicagoland” Chicago, the second-most populous county in the United States, is the center of the Chicago metropolitan area, home to 9.6 million people as the seat of Cook County.

Chicago, which is on the shore of Lake Michigan, was founded in 1837 and deliberately placed close to a portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed. This favorable location helped mid-19th century fast development. The population of Great Chicago Fire of 1871 kept growing even though it devastated many square miles and left more than 100,000 homeless. Chicago‘s tenacity and creative energy produced important contributions in architecture and urban planning including the Chicago School, the City Beautiful movement, and the steel-framed skyscraper.

Chicago is today a global center for finance, culture, business, industry, education, technology, telecommunications, transportation, and architecture. Generating 20% of all volume in commodities and financial futures alone, the city boasts the biggest and most varied derivatives market in the world. Considered consistently among the top six busiest airports worldwide by passenger traffic, O’Hare International Airport is the railroad hub for the country. With $689 billion in 2018, the Chicago area boasts one of the highest GDP among all urban areas worldwide. The economy of the city is clearly varied; no one sector accounts for more than 14% of the workforce.

Attracting people to its cultural sites and Lake Michigan beaches, Chicago is also a big travel destination. Rich cultural legacy of the city has greatly affected visual arts, literature, cinema, theater, comedy (especially improvisational comedy), food, dance, and music. Particularly well-known for their contributions to jazz, blues, soul, hip-hop, gospel, electronic dance music, including house music, Chicago is Prestigious organizations including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Art Institute of Chicago—which functions as both a museum and an art school—call the city home. The Chicago area also boasts prestigious universities including the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the University of Illinois Chicago.

Chicago‘s identity is much shaped by professional sports; the city hosts two Major League Baseball teams among other major professional leagues. Chicago‘s varied economic base, rich cultural scene, historical significance, and energetic sports culture combine to make this dynamic and powerful city on both national and international front.

US Dollar (USD)

Currency

1833

Founded

312, 773, 872

Area code

2,665,039

Population

83,879 km2 (32,386 sq mi)

Area

English

Official language

594 feet (181 meters)

Elevation

UTC−06:00 (CST)

Time zone

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