One of the most populated cities in America is Chicago. The population of this metropolis has already exceeded the mark of 2.5 million people. In the United States, the city is the third largest city in terms of population after New York and Los Angeles. Many representative offices of large firms and companies are located here (in terms of financial significance, the city is in second place in the United States after New York). Chicago is the largest transport hub of the entire mainland - North America.
Chicago population
Currently, one of the largest cities in the United States of America is Chicago. The population, according to the 2010 census, is 2 million 695 thousand people.
Most residents are traditionally Americans. They are about 55% here. Even more impressive is the agglomeration, which is also called "Chicago Country" or "Greater Chicago". This cluster of predominantly urban settlements, which coalesce and unite from time to time, has about 9 million inhabitants. In the ranking of world agglomerations, Chicago is ranked 37th in the world.
This is one of America's key cities in the Midwest. Chicago, whose populationhas always been economically active, today it rightfully occupies a leading position as an industrial, transport, economic and cultural capital of the Midwest.
City of a million people
The million-plus cities of the United States form the basis of their economic and industrial power. Chicago is one of them.
In total, there are 8 cities in America with a population of over one million people. In terms of the number of residents, Chicago is inferior, as already mentioned, only to Los Angeles and the absolute leader to New York, which is home to almost 8.5 million people. The list also includes Dallas, San Antonio, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Houston.
Chicago Square
Chicago has an area of over 606 square kilometers. There are 12 federal reserve banks, the largest stock exchange, various commercial structures in this territory.
Huge squares are occupied by the famous business center, known throughout the world as the Chicago Loop. It is the second largest business center after Manhattan. Here you can find the headquarters of world famous companies such as Boeing and United Airlines.
Also, Chicago is a city famous for its sights: a quarter of skyscrapers, the Willis Tower (110-story building) is the second tallest building in the United States. From the ground to the top as much as 443 meters. The observation deck, located on the 103rd floor, offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding city.
The entire history of skyscraper construction in the United States can be traced at the center of architecture.
Sentrybelt
Chicago's time zone is UTS - 6:00 AM during the winter. This is Central American time. Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, parts of Canada, Chile and Ecuador fall into it throughout the year.
During the summer, the time zone changes to UTS - 5:00. The time difference between Moscow and Chicago is 9 hours.
Chicago climate
This is the largest city that is part of the state of Illinois. However, it is not its capital, the administrative center is located in the city of Springfield with a population of only 116 thousand people.
Chicago is located right on the shores of the beautiful Lake Michigan, as well as the Chicago, Calumet and Chicago Sanitary Canal, which connects the Chicago River with the Des Plaines in the east of the city. In the 19th century, the Chicago River was used for navigation, now these functions have been transferred to Lake Michigan.
Chicago's climate is humid continental. Very long summer, which is accompanied by frequent rains. The weather is hot and humid.
Winter is relatively cold, especially when compared to other US states. The winter is short and the weather changes frequently. The average temperature in July exceeds 23 degrees Celsius, in January the average temperature is -5. More than 900 millimeters of precipitation falls annually. Wind speed during the year averages 4.5 meters per second. Relative humidity just over 70%.
The warmest month of the year is July, the absolute maximum reaches over 40 degrees abovezero. It is coldest in January, the absolute maximum this month is above 32 degrees below zero.
The largest city in the state
Illinois ranks 25th in area. Chicago is its key center. Industrial enterprises are concentrated here, as well as companies engaged in agriculture. The south of the state is fertile and rich in natural resources. This is, first of all, timber, oil and coal.
Illinois is America's main transportation hub. By water, the port of Chicago is connected with the largest ports of the Great Lakes, and also has direct access to the Atlantic Ocean.
O'Hare International Airport is located here. For decades now, it has been one of the busiest in the world.
According to the last census of the state, held in 2011, almost 13 million people live in it. It is the most densely populated area in the entire Midwest. Two-thirds of the state's residents belong to the famous Chicago metropolitan area. However, it occupies no more than 8% of the state. The rest of Illinois live in rural communities or small towns.
According to the same census, more than 13% of the state's residents were born outside the United States of America. Of these, almost half come from Latin America, 26% from Asia, 22% from Europe, and a small part came from Africa, North America and Oceania. Of these, less than half received US citizenship.
There are quite a lot of children and youth in the state, almost 30% of the population are minors, becauseChicago is a city of opportunity. It attracts many Americans with its promise. The gender composition is almost identical, there are slightly more women - 51%.
If we evaluate the origin of the inhabitants of Illinois and Chicago, then most of them are Germans - more than 20%. 13% Irish, 5 to 10% Poles, English and Italians, about 2% Swedes and French, there are also Dutch, Norwegian and Scottish diasporas.
Russians in Illinois are slightly more than 126 thousand. This is less than 1 percent of the total population.
Air service
Chicago, whose population is very mobile, is served by two major international airports at once. There is also a network of small ones. The main one is O'Hare International Airport, located to the west, outside the city limits. It belongs to the town of Park Ridge and is one of the largest in the world. It has 4 terminals, 3 of which are for local airlines and one is international. This airport ranks 4th in the world in terms of the number of passengers carried.
Another airport is called Midway. It is located in southwest Chicago. Its history begins in 1923, when the first runway was opened. Then its main function was the transportation of mail, three years later it began to be used by the city for commercial purposes. Already by 1928, four runways were in operation, ready to work even at night.
Chicago History
In 1674 the history of Chicago begins. The United States as a state did not yet exist at that time. The French Jesuit Jacques Marquette founded a missionary post on the site of the future metropolis.
The settlement of the same name appeared on the maps only in 1833. Then it was a village in which 350 people lived. It is known where the name of the city came from. So the French settlers changed the Indian word, which means garlic or wild onion.
Chicago only got city status in 1837. Three years later, its population was already 4,000 people. Convenient and favorable geographical position - on the border of the west and east of the United States, allowed Chicago to develop rapidly, becoming the main transport hub of the state. This led to an increase in industrial production and an influx of migrants into the agglomeration, which had already begun to take shape.
International fame came to the city in 1920, when the famous gangster Al Capone settled in it. At that time, there were thousands of gangs in the city. With a large influx of migrants, African-American culture began to develop rapidly in the city, in particular, jazz gained unprecedented popularity.
In 1942, the world's first nuclear reaction was carried out at the University of Chicago as part of the Manhattan Project.
By the end of the 20th century, Chicago had established itself as one of the centers of American architecture, specifically skyscrapers. At this time, the outflow of residents from the central part of the city to the outskirts began, many even preferred to settle in the suburbs. This trend has affected all cities -US millionaires.
Green Chicago
Chicago is an incredibly green city. There are a huge number of squares and parks. Moreover, Chicago is not limited to green areas. About 30 beaches are organically woven into the landscape, which are very popular in the summer. This is a favorite vacation spot for tourists who come to Chicago. The US is proud to be another tourist destination.
Also in the park area there is a zoo, bird sanctuaries and even a museum town. In the master plan for the development of the city, these territories are freed from development. Back in 1839, it was announced that they should be free from any buildings and structures. Until now, this decision is being implemented.
Cultural Life Center
Chicago is not only the economic and industrial, but also the cultural center of America. A large number of festivals are held here, exhibitions are regularly opened, and master classes are held. There are especially many events during the summer period.
For two months - from the end of June to the very end of September, Chicago becomes the capital of jazz. This is where the Ravinia Festival takes place. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, ballet companies, comedians and impersonators perform.
In the last days of May, the international Chicago Blues Festival starts. The bright end of these holidays is the Chicago Jazz Festival, which opens at the end of September.
Attractions
Chicago's main attractions are skyscrapers, but besides them there is something to see. First, it is the Old City. An authentic district of the city, where shops and buildings from the beginning of the 20th century have been preserved almost in their original form. There is also a working church of St. Michael. Every year, artists and other representatives of the art world from all over the world gather here at the beginning of summer.
Another unique neighborhood in Chicago is the Gold Coast. It is famous for a large number of old mansions. In the same city there is a water tower built in the middle of the 19th century. She alone survived the terrible fire of 1871 and still provides water to 400,000 residents of north Chicago.
