/city-scape_chicago_49730.jpg

Chicago, Illinois

For anyone thinking of a nice place in the United States to settle for business, schooling, work or even recreation, the city of Chicago is a fantastic choice. For entrepreneurs, very few cities in America can be compared to Chicago when it comes to the ideal environment for business. Chicago is one of the most important business centers in the country and you will be doing your enterprise a lot of good by setting up a base in this bustling city.

Students can also get the very best of education in the city which is home to various world-class academic institutions like the University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, Northeastern Illinois University and the University of Illinois at Chicago. The city is also home to some of the most amazing tourist sites in the country, and some of these include the Millennium Park, Art Institute of Chicago, Lincoln Park and the Field Museum of Natural History.

Chicago is one of the largest cities in the United States. For many, it is an ideal choice for residence. For others it is a fantastic city to visit and tour. It has all the trappings of modern America, with a distinct Chicagoan flare. There are many great aspects of the city from great employment options to exciting entertainment venues.

Chicago History

The establishment of the city of Chicago can be traced to the mid-19th century when migrants from Europe settled in the area. The first batch of explorers and traders to reach the area were from France and by the time they arrived what is now modern-day Chicago, it was already inhabited by an indigenous tribe called the Potawatomi. Historical records show that the area was also inhabited by other Native American tribes even long before the coming of the Potawatomi. As a matter of fact, the word 'Chicago' was derived from the Miami word 'shikaakwa' which means 'stinking onion'.

With time, the European missionaries took it upon themselves to convert the locals to Christianity and they also built various missions, clinics and schools in the area. It is noteworthy to state that the gaining control of the land did not come easy as the Potawatomi mounted stiff resistance against the colonists and it was not until the end of the Battle of Fort Dearborn that the Potawatomi would cede the land to the United States forces in 1816.

Chicago was incorporated as a town in 1833 with only a few hundred inhabitants. Around the same time, entrepreneurs saw the opportunity that the tiny settlement offered as a major transportation center and bought plots of land for development. It was the increased activity in Chicago's real estate triggered by the entrepreneurs that served as one of the major sources of attraction to the town and by 1830, Chicago was gradually becoming a city.

By the 1850s, the construction of railroads in the area brought about a steep increase in the city's population. In the same decade, Chicago became a major transportation hub in the United States serving cities all over the country. Progress was to continue steadily until tragedy struck in 1871 with a devastating city inferno now called the Great Chicago Fire. The conflagration was extensive and a large part of the city was reduced to ashes. Hundreds of lives were lost, tens of thousands of buildings were destroyed and hundreds of thousands were left homeless. The tragedy was to become one of the most memorable events in the history of the city.

The late 1800s and the early 1900s saw the migration of people from Eastern European nations, especially from Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine. This influx was to be halted with the start of the World War I in 1914. During the Second World War, migrants arrived from Hispanic nations

About Chicago, Illinois

The city of Chicago is the largest settlement in the state of Illinois with almost three million residents. The city is the county seat of the Cook County which is second in size only to Los Angeles County in the country. Established in 1833, Chicago has been and is still a force to be reckoned with when it comes to business, finance, transportation, industry, tourism and telecommunications. Also called the City of Big Shoulders, Chicago is one of the most enchanting of the American cities. Located not too far from the Lake Michigan, the city of Chicago is drained by two main rivers - Chicago and Calumet. As a result of its proximity to the Great Lakes region (especially Lake Michigan), the city is a major center for much of the waterborne transport in the area.

Apart from influencing the economic landscape of the city, Lake Michigan is also responsible for subtle climatic moderation. Generally, the city enjoys a humid continental climate and there are four separate seasons. The summers are usually hot and wet while the winters are windy and snowy. The most enjoyable seasons in the city are springs and falls. Veering from the climatic condition of the city, one thing that most tourists always notice and appreciate is the impressive architectural features of the city. It was the tragic Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that led to an unprecedented age of building construction in the city and today, the city is home to some of the world's tallest buildings like the Trump International Hotel & Tower and the Willis Tower (formerly called the Sears Tower and was once the tallest building in the world).

However, the city of Chicago has more than towering buildings and a booming economy, the entertainment aspect of the city also reflects the endowed nature of the city. For admirers and fans of the theater, Chicago is a city that has much to offer as it is home to some of the best theaters in the country. These include the Steppenwolf Theater, Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theater, Gateway Theater and the Bank of America Theater. As if these are not enough to entertain, the city is also home to the legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

It is also very interesting to know that Chicago has a lot more to offer apart from the majestic theaters and operas. To get the very best education anywhere in the world, you do not have to go outside Chicago as it has some of the very best institutions in the world: University of Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Chicago at Illinois and Saint Xavier University to mention a few.

Chicago is a prosperous city enjoyed by residents and vistors alike. One should visit to explore and enjoy its many aspects.

About Cook County, Illinois

The city of Chicago spans two counties: Cook County and the DuPage County in the state of Illinois.

Cook County contains a portion of the city of Chicago which is the county seat and is also the second most populous county in the country with more than five million inhabitants. Covering an area of 4,234 sq km, Cook County has more than a hundred cities incorporated in it. Named for Daniel Cook, the first Attorney General in the state, the county is densely populated and is highly urbanized.

The county was established in 1831 when an Act was passed by the State Legislature. The county is governed by a President. The county is adjacent the Lake Michigan and is surrounded by Lake County, DuPage County, Will County and Lake County (Indiana). Cook County is divided into 30 townships and some of these are Orland Township, Elk Grove Township, Palos Township, Bloom Township, Calumet Township, New Trier Township, Cicero Township, Berwyn Township and Norwood Township. It is also worthy of note to state that there are many villages in the county.

Du Page County

Du Page County is a constituent of the Chicago metropolitan area, one of the largest in the country. The county seat is the city of Wheaton and has a population of almost a million. Only the neighboring Cook County has more inhabitants in the state.

DuPage has nine townships, compared to the 30 in Cook County: Bloomingdale, Winfield, Wayne, Naperville, Addison, Lisle, Downers Grove, York and Milton. DuPage has an enviable reputation as it is one of the most prosperous counties in the nation. The county was carved out of the larger Cook County in 1839, and the name comes from the DuPage River.

The county has an area of 871.7 sq km and is home to some of the most sophisticated science laboratories in the world, with fine examples being the advanced Fermilab and the Argonne National Laboratory. DuPage County is also a place of outstanding beauty with visitors and residents alike taking advantage of fantastic sites like the Centennial Beach.