Sitting on the shores of Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes of North America, Chicago is one of the biggest cities in the United States.

  • Where is Chicago located?
    • Located in the northwestern part of the great state of Illinois, Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States.
  • How does Chicago rank in population compared to other U.S. cities?
    • Chicago trails only Los Angeles and New York City in terms of population, making it the third most populous city in the country.
  • What is the biggest city in the Midwest?
    • Chicago is the biggest city in the Midwest region and the major city of the Chicago metropolitan area.
  • What is Chicagoland?
    • The Chicago metropolitan area is also known quite simply as 'Chicagoland'.
  • How large is Chicago in terms of area?
    • Chicago covers an area of over 234 square miles.
  • What is the population of Chicago and Chicagoland?
    • Chicago has a population of 2.7 million, with almost 10 million people living in Chicagoland.
  • Is Chicago a major tourist destination?
    • After New York City, Chicago is the most visited tourist location in the United States.

This post may include affiliate links. Click here for Affiliate Disclosure.

1. The elevation of Chicago is 594 feet

The elevation of Chicago is 594 feet

© lmel900/stock.adobe.com

  • What does the elevation of a city indicate?
    • The elevation of a city like Chicago is a geographical indicator of how high that location is in relation to sea level.
  • What is the elevation of Chicago?
    • The elevation of Chicago is 594 feet (181 m), which is just a little higher than most other major cities.
  • How does Chicago's elevation compare to other major cities?
    • Many big cities, both in the United States and other nations, tend to be situated at elevations of 500 feet (152 m) or less as they are mostly built in coastal locations.
  • Why is Chicago’s location unique?
    • Chicago is in a unique position as it is quite far inland but is still on the shoreline of a huge body of water in the form of Lake Michigan.
  • Where does the name 'Chicago' come from?
    • The city has a fascinating history, with the name 'Chicago' coming from a French interpretation of the indigenous word 'Shikaawa', which was the name given to a kind of wild onion.
  • Who originally inhabited Chicago?
    • The area was inhabited by Native Americans for many years before European settlers founded the city in the early 19th century.
  • Why did Chicago's economy thrive?
    • Due to its location, Chicago’s economy thrived. It was a key point connecting the east and west sides of America, attracting many residents and businesses.
  • How did immigration contribute to Chicago's growth?
    • Many European migrants heading to America heard of Chicago's reputation and were drawn to the city, contributing to its continuous growth through the 20th century into the modern era.
  • Why is Chicago a popular tourist destination?
    • Nowadays, Chicago is a prime tourist location, boasting a beautiful skyline and countless landmarks and attractions.
  • What are some key landmarks in Chicago?
    • Some of the most famous landmarks and attractions in Chicago include:
      • Millennium Park
      • Chicago River
      • Lincoln Park Zoo
      • Magnificent Mile

2. The highest point in Illinois is Charles Mound

The highest point in Illinois is Charles Mound

© Paulo Nabas/stock.adobe.com

  • Is Illinois one of the lowest states in America?
    • Illinois isn't the lowest state in America, but it is among the states with the lowest mean elevations.
  • What is the mean elevation of Illinois?
    • The mean elevation of Illinois is just 600 feet (180 m), which is the same mean elevation as Maine and Georgia.
  • How does Chicago’s elevation compare to the state average?
    • When compared with this reading, we can see that Chicago's elevation is very close to the state average.
  • What is the highest point in Illinois?
    • The highest point in Illinois is Charles Mound, a hill in Jo Daviess County near the Wisconsin border. Charles Mound has an elevation of 1,235 feet (376 m).
  • What is the lowest point in Illinois?

3. Chicago Elevation compared to other cities

Chicago Elevation compared to other cities

© f11photo/stock.adobe.com

  • How does Chicago’s elevation compare to other major U.S. cities?
    • Chicago has a higher elevation than both New York and Los Angeles, with:
      • New York at 33 feet (10 m)
      • Los Angeles at 285 feet (87 m)
  • How does Chicago’s elevation compare to other cities in Illinois?
    • Chicago has an elevation of 594 feet (181 m), which is between the elevations of:
      • The state capital, Springfield at 558 feet (170 m)
      • The second-largest city in Illinois, Aurora at 718 feet (219 m)
  • What type of climate does Chicago have?
    • The city of Chicago has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons.
  • What are summers like in Chicago?
    • Chicago has relatively warm, humid summers, with temperatures often reaching and exceeding 90°F (32°C) during the hottest months of the year, like June, July, and August.
  • How cold do Chicago winters get?
    • Winters in Chicago tend to be quite cold, with daily averages of just 25°F (-4°C) in January.
  • Does Chicago get snow?
    • The city can experience quite heavy snowfall in December, January, and February, with moderate rain for much of the rest of the year.
  • Why is Chicago such a popular tourist destination?
    • As the second most visited city in the entire United States, Chicago offers lots of things to do.
  • What is Chicago known for in terms of nightlife?
    • The city is well known for its thriving nightlife, with a lot of live music and high-class restaurants available to enjoy all through the evenings.
  • What makes Chicago’s architecture unique?
    • Chicago is well-known for its distinctive architecture and open-air public art, with various statues and sculptures waiting to be discovered all around the city.
  • What kinds of recreational activities can be enjoyed in Chicago?
    • All kinds of recreational activities can be enjoyed in and around Chicago, including urban kayaking tours along the Chicago River.

Plan Your Trip


Table of Contents: