Capital
Springfield
Became a State
December 3,1818 (21^st)
Location
midwestern United States
Area
57,914 sq. miles (25^th)
Population
12,830,632 (h5^th)
Major Cities
Chicago, Rockford, Springfield 
Products
corn, soybeans, wheat, hogs, cattle, dairy products, timber, coal, petroleum
Climate
humid, continental - hot humid summers – cool, cold winters
Yearly Precipitation
averages 48 inches
Professional Sports Teams
Chicago Cubs (National Baseball League)
Chicago White Sox (American Baseball League)
Chicago Bears (National Football League)
Chicago Bulls (National Basketball Association)
Chicago Blackhawks (National Hockey League)
Chicago Machine (professional Lacrosse)
Chicago Sky (Women's National Basketball Association)
Major Waterways
Lake Michigan, Illinois River, Fox River,Ohio River,DesPlaines River,
Chicago River and Mississippi River
Most Famous Citizens
Jane Addams (social worker)
Louis Armstrong (musician)
Ulysses S. Grant (18^th President of the United States)
Abraham Lincoln (16^th President of the United States)
Frank Lloyd Wright (architect)
Ronald Ragan (40^th President of the United States)
Michael Jordan (basketball)
Barack Obama (44th & 45th President of the United States)
Michelle Obama (First Lady)
Hillary Clinton (First Lady & Secretary of State)

50 States.com
Awesome America
Cities
Constitution
Enchanted Learning
Fact Monster
Flag
Fun Facts
Geography
Government
Historical Timeline
History
Important Events
Industry
InfoPlease
Maps
Museums
National Park Service
Native American Tribes
Natural Resources
NetState
Prodessional Sports Teams
State Legislature
State Parks
Things to Do
Tourism
Weather
Zoos