A Quick Orientation of Chicago
Lake Michigan sits to the east of Chicago, with the entire city encompassing 88 square miles. Skyscrapers tower over the shoreline and the downtown and central business district area known as 'The Loop'. This district is the second largest downtown business district in the US after New York's Manhattan. Also downtown and known as the Magnificent Mile, North Michigan avenue is a shopper's Mecca.
The corner of State and Madison streets in downtown Chicago is considered to be the centre of the city and all other streets form a grid network from this point. The streets are numbered, making travel around the city easy and logical. As with many large American cities, Chicago is composed of many districts, both large and small and each with its own distinctive feel. For example, Northern Chicago has a large Swedish and German population and features many European-style businesses, while Devon Avenue, also in the downtown core, is known as the 'International Marketplace' on account of its wealth of ethnic stores including Indian, Pakistani, Jewish and Russian outlets.
United States Map
Illinois Map
Chicago Map
Useful Chicago Links
Guide to Chicago - detailed travel guide to Chicago, Illinois (IL), USA
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) - Guide to Chicago (MDW) Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) - Guide to Chicago (ORD) Airport