Chicago is the third largest city in the country. A seat of the Cook County, it covers the primary metropolitan statistical areas of Gary, Indiana; Kankakee, Illinois; and Kenosha, Wisconsin. A good railroad system serves the community which was already 300,000 in the 19th century. Chicago became a major force in the nation’s development and today it is the leader in transportation, industry telecommunications. It has earned the status of an international leader as well because of its financial ranking.

Chicago enjoys a continental climate with frequently changing weather conditions. Summers are relatively hot and winters cold. While summer temperatures can rise up to 96 degrees or higher, winters register a low of minus 25 degrees F.

Snowfall near the lakeshore is usually heavy because of cold air movement off Lake Michigan. Chicago is often nicknamed “windy city” because of strong, gusty winds that blow across the city. Chicagoans however, often attribute the nickname to their reputed penchant for talking proudly about their city.

Area: 228.4 square miles (2000)

Elevation: 578.5 feet above sea level

Average Temperatures: January, 21.3° F; July, 73.4° F; annual average, 49.8° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 35.82 inches

Population: 2,842,518 (as on July 2005)

Attractions

• Art Institute of Chicago
  
  
• Adler Planetarium
  
  
• The Field Museum of Natural History
  
  
• Hancock Observatory
  
  
• Museum of Science & industry
  
  
• Shedd Aquarium
  
  
• Jay Pritzker Pavilion
  
  
• Chicago Cultural Centre