Explore this map of Illinois to know everything you want about the 21st State of the US. Learn about this State’s location in the United States of America. Also, check out its geography, time zones, history, major cities, area and zip codes, national parks, trails, flag, seal, capital, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and many more.

About Illinois

Illinois is the 21st State in the United States. On December 3, 1818, it was admitted to the Union. Springfield is Illinois’s capital. While Chicago is the largest city, Chicagoland is the largest metro-urban area. 

English is this state’s official language. Over 80% of the population speaks English. Spanish and other languages are spoken by around 15% and 5% of Illinois’s population. In the US, Illinois is the 6th most populous state. 

The US state of Illinois has many nicknames, such as:

• Land of Lincoln
• Prairie State
• The Inland Empire State

“State Sovereignty, National Union” is the State Motto. Check Key Facts of Illinois to learn more about this US state.

Illinois Flag

On July 1, 1970, the current and new design of the Illinois State Flag was adopted. However, on July 6, 1915, the original and first design was adopted. 

The design of the Illinois flag features:

• A white field or background.
• At the center of the flag, you’ll find the Great Seal of Illinois (the official seal of the state):
  • An eagle 
  • A banner saying “State Sovereignty, National Union” (the motto of Illinois)
  • The year “1818” is mentioned. It was the year when Illinois became a state, and also the first constitution was signed (August 26, 1818).
  • The year “1868” is also mentioned. It is the year when the Great Seal of Illinois was redesigned.
  • In the background of the seal, the sun can be seen at Lake Michigan’s horizon. 
  • The “Illinois” word is included just below the seal.

Multiple colors can be seen in this flag and seal, including:

• Brown
• Red
• Blue
• Green
• Yellow 
• Blue
• White (flag’s background color)

Know more about Illinois State Symbols.

Illinois History

Illinois’s first documented human history can be traced back to around 8000 BC. The Paleo-Indian culture was found in the southern parts of Illinois. Some of the native American tribes in the Illinois area were Sauk, Kickapoo, Ojibwa, Ottawa, Fox, Potawatomi, and others. 

The first Europeans came to Illinois in 1673. Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet, two French explorers, first visited this place. Near Ottawa, the first French foothold, Fort Crèvecoeur, was established. Fort Saint Louis was also built. The French and Indian War took place in the 1760s. 

During the American Revolution in 1778, the American forces of Kaskaskia captured this place and went on to make Illinois Virginia’s county. In 1779, Jean-Baptist-Point Du Sable, a black pioneer, built the first settlement in the Chicago site. Illinois was included in the Indiana Territory from the Northwest Territory on July 4, 1800. Indiana Territory was again divided into Illinois Territory in 1809. Nine years later, on December 3, 1818, Illinois attained statehood. 

Native American tribes continued to move toward the west. Sauk chief Black Hawk led a tribal rebellion against the US army in 1832. However, the US army defeated the tribal warriors at the Battle of Bad Ax. It made the last American tribes move to Iowa. During the Civil War, more than 250,000 participated in the Union Army as soldiers. The Confederate army surrendered in 1865. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed more than twenty thousand buildings in south Chicago.

Illinois Location

Illinois Location Map shows the exact location of the US state of Illinois on the United States map. This map shows the US state’s boundaries, neighboring countries, and oceans. 

The State of Illinois is situated in the midwestern part of the USA. It shares its land border with:

• Wisconsin (in the north)
• Michigan through Lake Michigan’s water boundary (in the northeast)
• Indiana (in the east)
• Kentucky (in the southeast)
• Iowa and Missouri through the Mississippi River’s natural border (in the west)

Illinois’s precise location is 36° 58′ N to 42° 30′ N Latitude and 87° 30′ W to 91° 31′ W Longitude. Check the Illinois Longitude and Latitude Map to learn more about the location.

Illinois Geography

Illinois is spread across a total area of 57,915 sq mi (149,997 sq km), where the land area is 55,593 sq mi (143,969 sq km) and 2,320 sq mi (5,981 sq km). It is the 25th largest State in the United States in terms of size. 

The major geographical landforms in Illinois are:

1. Central Lowland is the most dominant landform in the state. It makes up around 80% of Illinois’ area. Central Lowland is a fertile plain. This lowland is again a sub-region of the Interior Lowlands. The Interior Lowlands are a part of the Interior Plains, the contiguous USA’s largest physiographic area. This vast flat region of Glaciers was created during the last Ice Age. You’ll find the Illinois Basin within the Central Lowland. Rich sources of a wide range of minerals, petroleum, and coal are found in this basin. 
2. Driftless Area is a rugged landform. It is located in Illinois’ northwest corner. This geographical portion wasn’t glaciated during the Ice Age. Charles Mound is the highest elevation point in the state. Its highest elevation point is 376 m (1,235 ft). Charles Mound is situated in the Driftless Area terrain and along Illinois and Wisconsin border. 
3. Shawnee Hills is a picturesque landscape, which is situated in the southern parts of Illinois. The Ohio River Valley and Shawnee National Forest have become popular tourist destinations. Check this Illinois Topographic Map to learn more.

The Mississippi River is the major river in the state. It flows along Illinois’ border with Iowa and Missouri. Other major rivers are the Wabash River, the Rock River, etc. Major lakes in the state are Lake Michigan, Lake Shelbyville, Rend Lake, Kinkaid Lake, Crab Orchard Lake, Clinton Lake, and many more.

Learn about the location of mountain peaks, rivers, lakes, the state capital, state boundary, ocean, and neighboring states from this Physical Map of Illinois.

Illinois Counties 

Illinois has 102 counties. McLean County is the largest county, having a total area of 1,183 sq mi (3,064 sq km). Putnam County is the smallest county, having a total area of 160 sq mi (414 sq km). Check the Illinois County Map to learn more about the location and boundaries of different counties in the State. 

Illinois Area Codes

The US State of Illinois has the following area codes: 

• 217/447: It covers Central Illinois and a specific part of Southern Illinois.
• 309/861: It covers Central-Western Illinois.
• 312: It covers Chicago’s central city region.
• 618: It covers Southern Illinois. 
• 630/331: It covers Chicago’s west suburbs.
• 708/464: It covers Chicago’s inner west and south suburbs. 
• 773: It covers most parts of Chicago except for downtown Chicago. 
• 815/779: It covers northern Illinois. 
• 847/224: It covers Chicago’s north-northwest suburbs.
• 872: It covers Chicago. 

The Illinois Area Codes Map helps you locate a particular area code. You can also use it to learn more about the area code boundary, county and state boundaries, and state capital. 

Illinois Zip Codes

There are 1,366 active zip codes in Illinois. Some of the best zip codes to live in include 60195, 60540, 60173, 60564, 60565, 60661, 60563, and many more. You can locate a particular zip code’s location, boundary, state boundary, and state capital with the help of the Illinois Zip Codes Map. 

Illinois Major Cities

Learn about the State’s major cities from this Illinois cities map. It also helps you to know the exact location of the state capital, other cities, state boundaries, neighboring states and oceans, and many more. 

Illinois’s most prominent cities are Chicago, Rockford, Joliet, Naperville, Champaign, Aurora, and many more. Check out the Illinois Cities Map for more details.

Illinois Airports

The busiest airports in Illinois are Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Chicago Midway International Airport, Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, etc. Check the location of different airports in the State on the Illinois Airports Map. This map also shows Illinois’s state and country boundaries, cities, the state capital, neighboring states, and oceans.

Illinois National Park and Trails

Illinois has two national parks. Around 27,744 visitors visit these national parks annually. Major national parks in the State are Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail, Pullman National Monument, Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, and others.

In Illinois, you can enjoy 1,517 recreational trails (hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and other adventurous trails). Waterfall Glen Trail, Little Grand Canyon Trail, Garden of the Gods Observation Trail, etc. are some of the most popular trails in Illinois.

Illinois Education

Illinois, which is home to some of the top universities in the country, is a great place to study and attracts students from across the globe. Universities in Illinois provide education in a diverse range of fields, from engineering and aerospace to law and accounting. Check out the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, etc.

FAQs on Illinois

FAQ #1: What Time Zone Is Illinois? 

Ans: Illinois’ time zone is UTC−06:00 (Central). Its Summer (DST) time zone is UTC−05:00 (CDT).

FAQ #2: Where Is Illinois? What Region Is Illinois In?

Ans: Illinois is located in the midwestern part of the USA.

FAQ #3: What Is The Capital Of Illinois?

Ans: Springfield is the capital of Illinois. 

FAQ #4: What Is Illinois Known For?

Ans: Illinois is known for Chicago (the third largest city in the US), Abraham Lincoln, Walt Disney, Mississippi River, US Highway 66, the Windy City, Morton Arboretum, Home of Superman, the First McDonald’s, and many more. 

FAQ #5: How Many People Live In Illinois?

Ans: The population of Illinois is estimated to be 12.785 million as of July 1, 2022. 

FAQ #6: Who Is The Governor Of Illinois?

Ans: Democratic Party’s Jay Robert “J. B.” Pritzker is the governor Of Illinois.

FAQ #7: How Many Counties In Illinois?

Ans: Illinois has 102 counties. 

FAQ #8: Are There Bears In Illinois?

Ans: Black bears were once native to Illinois. However, currently, no population of bears is present in this state.  

FAQ #9: What Are The Bordering States Of Illinois?

Ans: Illinois’ bordering states are Wisconsin (in the north), Michigan through Lake Michigan’s water boundary (in the northeast), Indiana (in the east), Kentucky (in the southeast), and Iowa and Missouri through the Mississippi River’s natural border (in the west).

FAQ #10: Who Founded Chicago, Illinois?

Ans: In 1780, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable founded Illinois’ Chicago