1. ILLINOIS DJ

2. LOCATION & GEOGRAPHY  Illinois is located in the Northern Area of the United States.  It is located under Wisconsin, to the left of Indiana, and near Lake Michigan.  Total area is 57,918 square miles (150,010 km 2 ), ranked 25th in size of the 50 states.  Water area is 2,325 square miles (6,020 km 2 ); Lake Michigan accounts for most of this.Lake Michigan

3. LOCATION & GEOGRAPHY (CONT.)  Charles Mound is the highest point in the state at 376 meters above sea level. Charles Mound  The Mississippi River at Cairo, Illinois is the lowest point, at 279 feet (85 m).Mississippi RiverCairo, Illinois  Average elevation is 600 feet (180 m) above sea level.  McLean County is the largest county in terms of land area (1,184 sq mi.), while Cook County is the largest county in terms of population (5,327,777, as of 2004). McLean CountyCook County

4. HISTORY  Illinois is the 21 st state to join the Union  Illinois Territory was created on March 1, 1809, by an Act of U.S. Congress. Illinois Territory  By 1810, settlers poured into the area, many arriving via river barges that traveled down the Ohio River.Ohio River.  In 1830, Abraham Lincoln's family moved from Indiana to Illinois.

5. MAIN ATTRACTIONS: PARKS  There 140 State Parks in Illinois.  The best state parks in Illinois are Giant City State Park, Starved Rock State Park, and Mississippi Palisades State Park.

6. MAIN ATTRACTIONS: LAKES  Illinois North-Eastern corner runs into Lake Michigan.  The other Lakes in Illinois are Kincaid Lake, Lake Shelbyville, Rend Lake.

7. MAIN ATTRACTIONS: RIVERS  Illinois has a small number of rivers.  The two main rivers are Fox River and Kaskaskia

8. MAIN ATTRACTIONS: OTHER  Theme and Amusement Parks include Santa’s Village, Donley’s Wild West Town, Kiddieland, and Six Flags Great America  The Willis Tower (Located in Chicago) features a Skydeck (which is a clear enclosed balcony that hovers over a street)