The city of Chicago, Illinois, has the third largest population of any city in the United States; only New York City and Los Angeles, California, have more residents. Chicago arose from the ashes of its Great Fire in 1871 to develop the skyscraper as well as many of the other major innovations of modern architecture. Although it was once known mainly for its stockyards and industry, the city has become a center of culture and learning as well.

Places of interest

Chicago is proud to have some of the world's tallest buildings, and the flat land of the area makes them visible from many locations. Two of the most famous are the Sears Tower and the John Hancock Building. Many notable architects have worked in Chicago, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

Among the many museums in the city are the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Chicago Academy of Sciences, the Chicago Historical Society, the Adler Planetarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry. The John G. Shedd Aquarium is the world's largest indoor aquarium. The bones of the dinosaur named Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex, are displayed at the Field Museum of Natural History. Chicago is also home to the nation's oldest free public zoo, the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Michigan Avenue and State Street are famous shopping areas. Many people flock to the shores of Lake Michigan for outdoor activities. The city also has a very large park system. Navy Pier contains many acres of gardens, restaurants, and other attractions.

People and culture

Chicago has a great mixture of people. More than a third of the residents are African American, about 30 percent are white, and about a quarter are Hispanic American. Within the city are many pockets with distinct ethnic flavor, such as Polish and Irish communities. The city is known for its lively neighborhood festivals.

Like many major U.S. cities, Chicago is a center for mass communications and education. Its two well-known newspapers are the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times. The city also has many television and radio stations. Among the many educational institutions in the city are the University of Chicago, the Chicago campuses of Northwestern University and the University of Illinois, and DePaul University.

The arts are a significant part of life in Chicago. The Art Institute of Chicago is a world-famous museum and art school. The Auditorium Theater is the scene of many theatrical and dance events, while Orchestra Hall is home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In the west Loop is the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Scattered throughout the city and suburbs are many professional theater companies. Annual blues and jazz festivals draw large crowds.

Also important to life in Chicago are its various sports teams. The city is host to the Cubs and White Sox (baseball), the Bulls (basketball), the Bears (football), the Blackhawks (ice hockey), and the Fire (soccer).

Economy

Chicago has a very diverse economy. A large number of people are employed as federal or city workers. Many others work in finance, insurance, and real estate fields. Some of the chief industries are food processing, printing, publishing, and tourism. Metal products, electronic products, industrial machinery, chemicals, and paper products are among the top items manufactured in the city. Inland Steel Industries, Sara Lee, and Quaker Oats are among the many large businesses headquartered in Chicago.

History

Native Americans, notably the Sac, Fox, and Pottawatomie, were the first residents of the region that became Chicago. French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet came to the area in 1673 in search of a water route to the Mississippi River. A fur trapper named Jean-Baptist-Point du Sable set up a post at the mouth of the Chicago River in the 1770s, becoming the first permanent non–Native American settler in this region.

The U.S. government built Fort Dearborn close to Du Sable's cabin in 1803. Although an Indian raid destroyed the fort in 1812, it was later rebuilt. The area, however, did not really attract many people until the Erie Canal opened up the Great Lakes to trade with the Eastern states in 1825. Chicago was chartered as a town in 1833 and was incorporated as a city in 1837. It took its name from a Native American word that is thought to mean either “stinking wild onion” (because some grew nearby) or “powerful.”

The city's position near Lake Michigan made it a trade center. The Illinois and Michigan Canal opened in 1848, linking the Great Lakes and Mississippi River systems. By 1856, Chicago had become the nation's chief rail center. In addition to the many products shipped along the rails, the trains brought in floods of both Americans and immigrants to work in the factories.

In October 1871 a disaster known as the Great Chicago Fire destroyed about a third of the city. It left about 250 people dead and 90,000 people homeless, and it caused some 200 million dollars in property damage. Wind, dry weather, and the great number of wooden buildings at the time made the flames spread quickly. The fire began in the barn of Patrick and Katherine O'Leary, but the exact cause remains unknown.

Chicago rebuilt quickly, and the population grew to more than 1 million people by 1890. Skyscrapers began to dot the downtown area around this time. Urban planner Daniel H. Burnham was responsible for much of the city's new look. He also worked on the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, a celebration that helped the city receive worldwide attention.

Chicago's population did not grow as fast in the 20th century. Many Chicagoans moved to the suburbs. Chicago lost its nickname of Second City in 1982 when Los Angeles surpassed it in total number of residents. Like many large cities, Chicago has had its share of problems, including organized crime, poor housing conditions, and pollution. Nevertheless, Chicago remains for many people an attractive place to live and work. Population (2000 census), city, 2,896,016; metropolitan area, 8,272,768.