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Chicago

Welcome to the Chicago Website of pictures within the World from the Web Home page. Located in northeastern Illinois, this city is the major urban area in the midwestern United States. The city is at the southern portion of Lake Michigan and has water and beaches on the east side of it.

It is 227 square miles and has a population of 2,896,016 people (2000) making it the 3rd largest city in the USA. The greater metropolitan area is 9,157,540 people, also making it the 3rd largest metro area in the country. It is serviced by 2 major airports, O'Hare and Midway. The El train is part of the extensive mass transit system in the area. Chicago has a coastline that runs along 29 miles of Lake Michigan. The city occupies flatland, typical of that part of the country known as the midwest. The elevation of Chicago is 580'. The city is traversed by two short rivers, the Chicago and the Calumet. There are many large and small suburban towns surrounding Chicago to the north, west and south.

After more then a century of French explorers passing thru the region, Fort Dearborn was set up in 1803. Chicago was incorporated in 1837 after various harbor projects and initiation of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Growth accelerated in the 1840s with the arrival of the railroad and completion of the canals. Many immigrants poured into the area, first from Ireland, Germany and Scandinavia later followed by eastern and southern Europeans. The city developed from primarily a port and trading center to a major transportation and manufacturing center. By the end of the Civil War (1865), the Union Stockyards opened on the South Side, unifying disparate meat operations scattered about the city. Chicago's rail network and the development of the iced refrigerator car meant that meat could be shipped east to New York, spurring the industry's consolidation. By the turn of the century, Chicago's population had swelled to almost two million. A large fire destroyed much of the city in 1871, but the city rebounded very quickly. In 1890 it hosted the World's Columbian Exposition, the 400 year celebration of Columbus coming to the Americas. Politically, corruption in the city government prevailed. During Prohibition in the 1920s, notorious gangsters and bootleggers roamed the streets. A great deal of folklore has surrounded Chicago's history. This includes Mrs O'Learys cow and the St Valentines Day Massacre. Chicago was one of three centers for the development of Jazz in th early 1900s and has been a leading city of blues music. The 16-story Monadnock Building at 53 W. Jackson Boulevard was the city's first skyscraper. Since then, it has for many years exchanged positions with New York city for having the tallest buildings in the world. That distinction has now passed overseas. The Sears Tower is still the tallest building in the USA with 110 stories and over 1700' in height (with antenas). The John Hancock, Aon Center, AT&T and 2 Prudential Plaza buildings are also mega-structures.

The city's economy is diversified and centers around a transportation and distribution network. This is reflected in that it is the most important rail and trucking center for the country. O'Hare is the busiest airport in the country. It is also a significant shipping port. A leading manufacturing area, it is second in the country with the number of manufacturing employees. Industries include electrical goods, steel, machinery, fabricated metals, foods, printing, publishing, chemicals and transport equipment. Chicago houses the headquarters of numerous corporations and is a major financial center. It houses the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade. It is a wholesale market for grain, produce and fish. Tourism is another large industry that supports the city and visitors come from near and far for great shopping on Michigan Ave, viewing the largest skyscrapers in the USA, numerous museums, restaurants and other cultural events.

Called the Windy City, this may actually have been termed to describe the politicians in the 19th century and not the weather. Nevertheless, it is reknowned for and often experiences extreme weather. The city receives 35"/year of rain and 38"/year of snow. The actual average wind speed is 10 mph. This implies winds that are strong, but less intense then found in other US cities. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of 22F. The weather actually gets hot and humid in the summer.

Chicago is a beautiful city, where new meets old and interconnected by the Chicago and Calumet Rivers with Lake Michigan to the east. Contrasted by huge skyscrapers and large water fronts, the Loop is probably the most famous part and is the historic center of the downtown portion of the city. It draws its name from the elevated train tracks that circle it. Other sections include the Gold Coast, Lakeview and Lincoln Park/Old Towne. The Navy Pier, on Lake Michigan, features an amusement park, children's museum, meeting center and a food court. World class museums include the Museum of Science & Industry, the Art Institute, the Field Museum of Natural History and the Shedd Aquarium. Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue runs from the Chicago River (Michigan Ave Bridge) north to the Drake Hotel (one of Chicagos oldest) and offers some of the best shopping in the country. It is just northeast of the Loop. Lincoln Park has a zoo, conservatory and miles of beaches. Grant Park features the Buckingham fountain and numerous cultural events. Excellent restaurants fill Chicago and it is famous for its deep dish style Chicago pizza. Surrounding areas and cities expand on activities found in Chicago.

All pictures are from Chicago, using film and digital cameras. The pictures below on this page are all from various parts of the city inside the "Loop". Subsequent pages found directly below will continue the city tour. They will tend to concentrate on well known areas.