Search Geography Explorer

Search countries, cities, rivers, lakes, deserts, oceans, islands and more

Fun facts about Chicago

5 facts - tap any card to flip it and learn more.

Discover more facts
Chicago Skyline in April 2024 b
city

The name Chicago is derived from a French rendering of the indigenous Miami–Illinois word šikaakwa, which referred to a wild relative of onion and garlic.

Chicago
United States
Tap to learn more
city

Chicago

United States

Country
United States
Population
2.7M
Coordinates
41.88, -87.63
111th most populous city in the world

Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the third-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 2.74 million at the 2020 census.

From the “Etymology and nicknames” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: File:Chicago Skyline in April 2024.jpg: xiquinhosilva derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0

Fact 1 permalink
Chicago Skyline in April 2024 b
city

The first known permanent settler in Chicago was Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, who is commonly known as the 'Founder of Chicago'.

Chicago
United States
Tap to learn more
city

Chicago

United States

Country
United States
Population
2.7M
Coordinates
41.88, -87.63
111th most populous city in the world

Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the third-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 2.74 million at the 2020 census.

From the “History” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: File:Chicago Skyline in April 2024.jpg: xiquinhosilva derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0

Fact 2 permalink
Chicago Skyline in April 2024 b
city

In 1900, the city completed a major engineering feat by reversing the flow of the Chicago River to prevent sewage contamination of Lake Michigan.

Chicago
United States
Tap to learn more
city

Chicago

United States

Country
United States
Population
2.7M
Coordinates
41.88, -87.63
111th most populous city in the world

Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the third-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 2.74 million at the 2020 census.

From the “History” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: File:Chicago Skyline in April 2024.jpg: xiquinhosilva derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0

Fact 3 permalink
Chicago Skyline in April 2024 b
city

Chicago was the first American city to have a homosexual-rights organization, called the Society for Human Rights, formed in 1924.

Chicago
United States
Tap to learn more
city

Chicago

United States

Country
United States
Population
2.7M
Coordinates
41.88, -87.63
111th most populous city in the world

Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the third-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 2.74 million at the 2020 census.

From the “History” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: File:Chicago Skyline in April 2024.jpg: xiquinhosilva derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0

Fact 4 permalink
Chicago Skyline in April 2024 b
city

Chicago's Western Avenue is the longest continuous urban street in the world.

Chicago
United States
Tap to learn more
city

Chicago

United States

Country
United States
Population
2.7M
Coordinates
41.88, -87.63
111th most populous city in the world

Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the third-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 2.74 million at the 2020 census.

From the “Geography” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: File:Chicago Skyline in April 2024.jpg: xiquinhosilva derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0

Fact 5 permalink