Illinois: History, Geography, Population, State Facts, National Real Estate search

Illinois History, Geography, Population, State Facts

The Prairie State

Great Seal of the State of Illinois

Adopted in 1788; 1868.

The first seal used in what is now Illinois was the seal of the Northwest Territory in 1788. The date 1868 refers to the date the seal was redesigned. The shield carried by the eagle shows thirteen stars and stripes representing the original states.

The Seal shown above is the third design of the State Seal and the fourth overall design for an Illinois Seal.

Click for latest Cheyenne, Wyoming, weather

French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet, in 1673, were the first Europeans of record to visit the region. In 1699 French settlers established the first permanent settlement at Cahokia, near present-day East St. Louis. Great Britain obtained the region at the end of the French and Indian Wars in 1763.

The area figured prominently in frontier struggles during the Revolutionary War and in Indian wars during the early 19th century.

Significant episodes in the state's early history include the influx of settlers following the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825; the Black Hawk War, which virtually ended the Indian troubles in the area; and the rise of Abraham Lincoln from farm laborer to president.

Capital City: Springfield

Capitol Tour

Illinois: State of Illinios Official Web Site

Admission to Statehood: Click for Date & List

Airports: Airports Map ? Airport Links

Amtrak: Midwest

Area: 57918 sq.mi, 25th ? Land 55593 sq. mi., 24th ? Water 2325 sq.mi., 20th ? Great Lakes 2,546 sq.mi., 5th

Area Codes: Illinois

Biographies: Famous People from Illinois

Bird: Northern Cardinal

Border States: Regional List ? Indiana ?? Iowa ?? Michigan ?? Kentucky ?? Missouri ?? Wisconsin

Cam World: Live Web Cams

Climate: Illinois

Community Pages: Illinois Cities, Towns, Communities List

Constitution: 21st State

County Profile: County Map ? 102 Counties

Courts: Judicial System

Current Events: Illinois News Headlines

Department of: Education ? Certification? | Northwestern University Evanston | Southern Illinois University System | University of Chicago | University of Illinois System

Driving: SOS/DS

Economy: Agriculture: Corn, soybeans, hogs, cattle, dairy products, wheat.?? Industry: Machinery, food processing, electric equipment, chemical products, printing and publishing, fabricated metal products, transportation equipment, petroleum, coal.

Flag: Illinois (IL)

Flower: Purple Viole? Viola

Cyndi's List ?? Historical Societies

Geographic Center: Logan, 28 miles northeast of Springfield

Geology Maps: Illinois

Ghost Towns: Ghost Towns

Governor: Office of Governor

Highest Point: Charles Mound; 1,235 feet, 45th

Highways: Illinois Highways ? Historic Route 66

History: History Timeline ?? Historical ? ? Civil War

Hotels, Motels & Inns:

Kids Corner: State of Illinois Kids Site