Illinois is the 25th largest state in the United States of America. It became a state on December 3, 1818. It shares a border with Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin. Illinois is the fifth highest populated state. It has 102 counties, and the largest city in the state is Chicago.

Lake Michigan borders the eastern section of the state with Indiana. On the southern border is Kentucky along the Ohio River. Its northern border is Wisconsin, and the western border are the states of Missouri and Iowa along the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River is the states lowest point. The state's highest point is Charles Mound. Illinois is 390 miles long north and south, and 210 miles long east and west.

Illinois was home to the Iroquois, Potawatomi Tribe, Miami, and Sauk Native American tribes.http://www.tolatsga.org/ill.html

The French held the first claim on Illinois; explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet claimed it while scouting the territory surrounding the Illinois River. It was then passed to the British in 1763. George Rogers Clark then claimed it for his home state of Virginia, and it was finally admitted to the union on December 3, 1818.

Their soybean production ranks highest in the country. Illinois also boasts high quantities of corn, hogs, cattle, dairy, and wheat.

The production industry mainstays of Illinois are fabricated metal products, and machinery and food manufacturing, plastics, rubber products, transportation equipment, and computer and electronic products. They are the leader in petroleum refining in the mid-west.

• • Mahalo's Guide To a Chicago Vacation
• Official Tourism Site: Enjoy Illinoishttp://www.enjoyillinois.com/
• Concierge.com: Illinois Travel Guidehttp://www.concierge.com/destination/illinois
• Frommer's: Travel Guidehttp://www.frommers.com/destinations/illinois/ Illinois
• TripAdvisor: Illinois Vacationshttp://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g28934-Illinois-Vacations.html