| Illinois, located in the Midwest region of the U.S., is the fifth largest state in the nation. It is known for its large and diverse population, its balance of rural areas, small industrial cities, vast suburbs and great metropolis, and its central location that has made it a transportation hub for 150 years.
Illinois has three major geographical divisions:
- Chicagoland, which includes Chicago and its suburbs. This area includes Cook County which is the most populous county in the state.
- Central Illinois is an area of mostly flat prairie. Known as the "Land of Lincoln" or the "Heart of Illinois," it is characterized by small towns and mid-sized cities. Major cities include Peoria, Springfield, Decatur, Bloomington-Normal and Champaign-Urbana.
- Southern Illinois comprises the area south of U.S. Route 50 and includes Little Egypt, near the juncture of the Mississippi River and Ohio River.
Chicago is the largest city in the state and the third most populous city in the U.S. Other large cities include:
- Aurora, the largest suburb of Chicago and second largest city in Illinois
- Rockford, the third largest city in Illinois, located in north-central Illinois
- Naperville, a Chicago suburb and fourth largest city in the state
- Elgin, a suburb northwest of Chicago
- Joliet, a suburb southwest of Chicago
- Peoria, the largest city on the Illinois river
- Springfield
Because of its large and diverse population, Chicago is the focus of most professional sports in Illinois. Chicago sports teams include:
- Chicago Cubs
- Chicago White Sox
- Chicago Bears
- Chicago Bulls
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Chicago Fire
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