Population: 2,896,000 Elevation: 578 feet/ 176 meters Average Annual Rainfall: 36 inches/ 91 centimeters Average Annual Snowfall: 38 inches/ 97 centimeters Average January Temperature: 21 degrees F/ -6 degrees C Average July Temperature: 73 degrees F/ 23 degrees C
Quick Facts
Major Industries: Communications, Information Technology, Finance, Transportation Ethnic Mix: 45% Caucasian, 39% African American, 12% Hispanic, 4% Asian Electricity: 110 volts, 60Hz, standard two pin plugs Time Zone: GMT-6 Country Dialing Code: 1 Area Code: 312, 773 (1 and the area code must be dialed even for local calls)
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 now defunct New York Sun newspaper, in commenting on Chicago's politicians.
Orientation
Chicago dominates the southwest shore of Lake Michigan in northeastern Illinois. Saint Louis lies 297 miles/478 kilometers to the southwest, Indianapolis 185 miles/298 kilometers to the southeast, Milwaukee 92 miles/148 kilometers north, and the Iowa state line 173 miles/ 278 kilometers to the west.