Central Illinois

Coordinates: 40°06′N 89°18′W / 40.1°N 89.3°W / 40.1; -89.3
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Central Illinois

Central Illinois is a region of the U.S. state of Illinois that consists of the entire central third of the state, divided from north to south. Also known as the Heart of Illinois, it is characterized by small towns and mid-sized cities. Agriculture, particularly corn and soybeans, as well as educational institutions and manufacturing centers, figure prominently.

A total of 45 counties are typically considered to be within Central Illinois, with a population of 1,874,635 as of the

capital), Decatur, Quincy, Champaign–Urbana, Bloomington–Normal, Galesburg, and Danville.[1]

Geography

Central Illinois within Illinois

Historically prairie, Central Illinois is generally flat and includes Douglas County, the state's flattest.[2][3] The region also hosts a variety of man-made lakes, including Lake Shelbyville, Lake Springfield, Clinton Lake and Lake Decatur.[4] Major rivers in the region include the Illinois, Middle Fork of the Vermilion, Kaskaskia, Sangamon and Mississippi rivers.[5]

Protected areas

Central Illinois is home to many protected areas, many related to

National Wildlife Refuges in the region.[8]

Climate

The climate of central Illinois is

droughts can sometimes happen in the summer and fall causing harm to the soybean and corn
crops.

Economy

Corn fields in Central Illinois

Central Illinois has a diverse

Old State Capitol, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.[15] Military makes up a smaller part of the economy, but was much larger until the closing Chanute Air Force Base
in 1993.

Culture

Central Illinois is culturally and demographically similar to much of the Rust Belt and Midwestern United States. The southern part of the region shares much in common with Southern Illinois and northern areas of the Upland South, while the northern part has a more distinctly Midwestern character.

West-Central Illinois is also known as Forgottonia.

The area is also at the heart of one the most famous rivalries in American sports, the Cardinals–Cubs rivalry.

Transportation

Transportation in central Illinois is provided by an assortment of

Baldwin Field in Quincy. Multiple Amtrak lines run through the region with stops in major regional cities.[16] There are nine interstate highways located in central Illinois, six of which are primary.[17][18][19]

Interstates

Transit

Education

Universities

Colleges

Trade and specialty schools

See also

References

  1. ISBN 0-8403-1831-6
    .
  2. ^ "Domestic Geographic Information". U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  3. ^ Mink, Randy (2004). "Douglas County". Travel America. Retrieved 2008-11-11. [dead link]
  4. ^ "Map of Lakes in Central Illinois". Google Maps. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  5. ^ "Map of Rivers in Central Illinois". Google Maps. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  6. ^ "Lincoln's New Salem". Lincoln's New Salem. Archived from the original on 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
  7. ^ "Lincoln Home National Historic Site". National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
  8. ^ "NWR Information". US Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
  9. ^ a b "Climate information". Midwest Regional Climate Center (MRCC). Archived from the original on 2010-06-13. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  10. ^ Angel, Jim. "Illinois Tornado Data". Illinois State Climatologist Office. Archived from the original on 2008-12-09. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  11. ^ "Illinois Soybean". Illinois Soybean Association Web Site. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  12. ^ "Illinois Watermelon". Illiana Watermellon Association. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  13. ^ "Agriculture in Illinois". Illinois Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  14. ^ "Central Illinois Top Employers" (PDF). Economic Development Council for Central Illinois. Retrieved 2014-05-10.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^ "Central Illinois Tourism". illinois Department Of Commerce And Economic Opportunity. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  16. ^ "Amtrak Train Service". Amtrak. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  17. ^ "Map of Interstates in Central Illinois". Google Maps. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  18. ^ "Illinois Road Map". Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Archived from the original on 2011-05-27. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  19. ^ "Interstates located in Illinois". Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Archived from the original on 2013-10-27. Retrieved 2008-11-13.

40°06′N 89°18′W / 40.1°N 89.3°W / 40.1; -89.3

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