Chicago Facts and Information

Chicago State: Illinois Country: United States

Chicago By The Numbers

Population: 2,897,000 (city); 9,785,000 (metropolitan) Elevation: 578 ft / 176 m Average Annual Rainfall: 36 in / 91 cm Average Annual Snowfall: 38 in / 97 cm Average January Temperature: 21°F/ -6°C Average July Temperature: 73°F/ 23°C

Quick Facts

Major Industries: Communications, Information Technology, Finance, Transportation Electricity: 110 volts, 60Hz, standard two pin plugs Time Zone: GMT -6 ( GMT -5 daylight saving time ); Central Standard Time ( CST ) Country Dialing Code: 1 Area Code: 312 & 773

Did You Know?

Chicago's Windy City nickname has nothing to do with weather. It was coined in 1893 by Charles Dana, the editor of the New York Sun newspaper, in commenting on Chicago's politicians.

The claim that Catherine O'Leary's cow knocked over a lantern in the family barn caused the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 is a myth. Chicago Republican reporter Michael Ahern admitting to fabricating that tale in 1893. Mrs O'Leary, who passed in 1895, spent the rest of her life thinking the fire was her fault.