Pancake flat- that’s what most Illinois is except for some northwest uplands and a strip of southwest hills. Until less than two century ago, it was covered by tall, waving prairie grasses. Where nature once raised grasses, settlers planted wheat. Farm machinery is a top Illinois export, and the state usually ranks second in both corn and soybean production.

Beginning in the 1860s, Illinois grew into an industrial as well as an agricultural giant- with Chicago leading the way. Its fiery steel mills boomed, with iron ore shipped in from the Lake Superior region and coal hauled in by rail from downstate deposits.

Chicago is one of the world’s great cities. With almost 3 million people and a greater metropolitan area, it is bigger than any other city between New York City and Los Angeles. With a great location at the southern end of Lake Michigan, Chicago has long been the top transportation centre in the country.