Illinois is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by Wisconsin to the north, Iowa to the west, Missouri to the southwest, Kentucky to the south, and Indiana to the east. Illinois also borders Lake Michigan and shares a water border with Michigan in the northwest corner of the state. The state capital of Illinois is Springfield while its largest city is Chicago.
The land area of Illinois covers 57,914 square miles making it the 25th largest state in terms of size. The geography of Illinois is mostly flat plains with some rolling hills and river valleys throughout. The highest point in Illinois is Charles Mound which stands at 1235 feet above sea level while its lowest point lies along Lake Michigan at 579 feet above sea level.
The majority of Illinois lies within two distinct physiographic regions: The Central Lowlands and The Interior Low Plateaus Region. The Central Lowlands are made up mostly of flat plains that were created by glacial deposits from ancient glaciers that once covered much of North America during the last ice age. This region accounts for most of northern and central Illinois including Chicago and its suburbs as well as much of eastern Missouri and western Indiana.
The Interior Low Plateaus Region consists mostly of rolling plateaus that are broken up by deep river valleys including those formed by the Mississippi River, Ohio River, Wabash River, Kaskaskia River and Sangamon River among others. This region encompasses most of southern Illinois including Springfield as well as portions of northwestern Kentucky and southwestern Indiana.
Illinois experiences four distinct seasons with hot humid summers that often reach temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit in July and August while winters can be very cold with temperatures often dipping below 0 degrees Fahrenheit during December and January months. Precipitation levels throughout much of this area average around 40 inches per year with most occurring during spring months between April through June.
Time Zone of Illinois
Illinois is located in the Central Time Zone, which is six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This time zone covers parts of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The states of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin are all located within this time zone. In addition to these states, the provinces of Manitoba and Ontario in Canada as well as the states of Tamaulipas and Veracruz in Mexico also fall within this time zone.
The Central Time Zone is one hour ahead of the Mountain Time Zone which covers parts of the western United States including Arizona and New Mexico. It is also one hour behind the Eastern Time Zone which covers much of the eastern United States including New York City and Washington D.C.
The Central Time Zone observes daylight saving time (DST) from March through November each year when clocks are moved ahead one hour from standard time to make more efficient use of natural daylight during those months. During DST, clocks are set to UTC-5 instead of UTC-6.
In Illinois, most areas observe Central Standard Time (CST) year-round with no daylight saving time observed since 2007 when a law was passed that abolished it for most areas within this state. However, some counties near Chicago such as Kendall County observe Eastern Standard Time year-round due to their close proximity to Chicago which lies within that particular time zone.
Throughout most parts of Illinois there is an exception for certain businesses that may choose to observe DST depending on their location or type of business they operate such as retail stores or restaurants which may choose to follow a different schedule than others in order to remain competitive with other businesses outside their local area that do observe DST during certain months out of the year.
It’s important for people living or travelling through Illinois to be aware of what time zone they are in so they can plan accordingly for any meetings or appointments they may have while there since some areas may not observe daylight saving time while others do depending on where exactly they are located at any given moment in time.
Top 5 Cities in Illinois
1. Chicago: According to countryaah, Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and the third most populous city in the United States. It is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan and is a major hub for both business and culture. It has a rich history as an industrial powerhouse, with its stockyards, steel mills, and railroads playing a significant role in its development. Today, it is home to world-renowned museums, theaters, universities, and other cultural attractions that draw millions of visitors each year. As a result, there are many things to do in Chicago including visiting the Art Institute of Chicago or Millennium Park.
2. Aurora: Aurora is located about 40 miles west of downtown Chicago and is the second largest city in Illinois. It has a population of over 200 thousand people and is known for its vibrant culture, diverse economy, and welcoming atmosphere. The city offers plenty of activities to keep visitors busy such as visiting the Fox Valley Mall or taking in a movie at one of the many theaters in town. Visitors can also enjoy outdoor activities like kayaking on Fox River or take part in one of Aurora’s many festivals throughout the year like their annual Summerfest celebration or their popular Fourth of July parade.
3. Naperville: Naperville is located about 30 miles west of downtown Chicago and has become one of Illinois’ most desirable suburbs due to its excellent public schools system and high median income level among other factors. It’s also known for its beautiful parks like Centennial Beach where swimmers can take advantage of swimming lessons or simply enjoy some leisurely swimming time with family members or friends. Furthermore, Naperville boasts plenty of shopping opportunities as well as restaurants serving delicious local cuisine from all around the world making it an ideal spot for both locals and tourists alike looking to explore this charming town outside Chicago’s hustle-bustle atmosphere.
4 Rockford: Located on both sides of Rock River approximately 90 miles northwest from downtown Chicago lies Rockford – known as ‘The City Of Gardens’ due to its lush parks filled with fragrant flowers during springtime months – which makes it an ideal destination for nature lovers looking to escape from urban life without having to travel too far away from home base at any given time throughout the year.. Aside from being home to several historic sites such as Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Garden or Anderson Japanese Gardens there are plenty more attractions that draw visitors such as Midway Village Museum Center which offers interactive exhibits showcasing Rockford’s unique history & culture while also providing recreational activities like mini-golfing & go-karting for all ages alike.
5 Peoria: Peoria is situated at about 150 miles south west from downtown Chicago along Illinois River Valley area making it an ideal spot for those looking to escape into nature without having to travel too far away from home base at any given time throughout the year.. Peoria offers plenty attractions that draw visitors such as Kelleher Park Nature Center where they can explore trails & observe wildlife while also learning more about native plants & animals found within area while Wildlife Prairie State Park provides unique opportunity for camping & outdoor activities including canoeing & fishing amongst others. Furthermore, Peoria boasts plenty shopping opportunities alongside excellent restaurants serving delicious local cuisine making it perfect spot both locals & tourists alike.
Zip Codes in Illinois
According to 800ZipCodes, Illinois has a total of 851 zip codes, which are spread out across the state. The zip codes range from 60001 to 62999 and cover the entire state, including the major cities of Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, Naperville and Springfield. In addition to these larger cities, many smaller towns and rural areas also have their own distinct zip codes. Zip codes are used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to help them accurately deliver mail to its intended destination. Each zip code is unique and helps ensure that mail is delivered quickly and efficiently.
