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Illinois Almanac: State Facts and Figures
Browse the state's symbols; state animal, state bird, state flower, state flag, state fossil, state insect, state motto, state seal, state tree, color, dance, fish, mammal, music, nut, reptile seal, and miscellaneous designations, emblems, and mascot of each state with pictures. Find origin of the state name. View the state almanacs, state timelines and peruse state facts and stats such as the capitol, location, and date admitted to the union.
Illinois Almanac
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| Official Name |
Illinois |
| Capital |
Springfield |
| Nick Name |
Prairie State |
| Motto |
State sovereignty, national union |
| Location & Region |
39.78143 N, 089.64465 W |
Midwest |
| Constitution Ratified |
1970 |
| Statehood |
December 03, 1818 |
21st state |
| Population |
12,419,293 |
223.40 sq mi. |
5th |
Largest City
(by population) |
Chicago, Rockford, Aurora, Naperville, Peoria |
| Bordering States |
Indiana - Iowa - Michigan - Kentucky - Missouri - Wisconsin |
| Number of Counties |
102 Counties in Illinois |
Largest County
(by population) |
Cook County |
5,376,741 |
946 sq mi. |
| Time Zone |
Central Standard Time |
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Illinois Climate and Weather |
| Illinois has four distinct seasons, ranging from cold winters to hot, somewhat humid summers. By far the best time to visit is May-October, when temperatures are mild and fairly predictable. In winter, temperatures may vary as much as 20 degrees F/11 C in an hour, and the wind can make very cold temperatures even colder -- and more dangerous (dress very warmly if you're visiting then).
Northern Illinois averages 25 F/-4 C in January, 75 F/24 C in July.
Southern Illinois averages 36 F/2 C in January and 79 F/26 C in July.
Central Illinois gets more than its share of ice storms during the winter and tornadoes during spring and summer.
The Chicago area within 3 mi/5 km of Lake Michigan tends to get much more snow than the rest of the city because of the "lake effect." |
| Highest Temperature |
117 degrees
July 14, 1954 - East St. Louis |
| Lowest Temperature |
-36 degrees
January 5, 1999 - Congerville |
| Avg Temp: High - Low |
87.1 degrees |
9.8 degrees |
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Illinois Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet) |
| Mean Elevation |
600 |
| Highest Point |
Charles Mound |
1,235 |
| Lowest Point |
Mississippi River |
279 |
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Illinois Land Area (Square Miles) |
| Geographic Center |
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| Total Area |
57,914.38 |
25th |
| Land Area1 |
55,583.58 |
95.98% |
| Water Area2 |
2,330.79 |
4.02% |
| Forested Land Area3 |
12.1% |
Dimensions
(Length - Width) |
390 miles |
210 miles |
Source: (U.S. Census, April 1, 2000)
1. Dry land and land temporarily or partially covered by water, such as marshland, swamps, etc.; streams and canals under one-eighth statute mile wide; and lakes, reservoirs, and ponds under 40 acres.
2. Permanent inland water surface, such as lakes, reservoirs, and ponds having an area of 40 acres or more; streams, sloughs, estuaries, and canals one-eighth statute mile or more in width; deeply indented embayments and sounds, and other coastal waters behind or sheltered by headlands or islands separated by less than 1 nautical mile of water, and islands under 40 acres in area. Excludes areas of oceans, bays, sounds, etc. lying within U.S. jurisdiction but not defined as inland water.
3. 1997 |
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Almanac Provided by SHG Resources |
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