Illinois: Not An Island (Unless You Ask Kentucky)
Ah, Illinois. The Prairie State. Land of Lincoln Logs (and presumably regular logs too). Home to Chicago's deep dish pizza, hotter than a jalapeno on a treadmill. But where exactly is this glorious state nestled? Is it floating around out there somewhere, a lone star in a sea of cornfields?
Fear not, fellow geography enthusiasts (and anyone who's ever gotten lost playing "The Oregon Trail"), Illinois is firmly planted in the heart of the American Midwest. But that doesn't mean it's a hermit kingdom! Illinois has a whole lotta neighbors to keep it company.
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| What State Is Close To Illinois |
So, You're Saying Illinois Has Friends?
You betcha! Here's a whistle-stop tour of Illinois's BFFs (Bordering Fabulous Friends):
- Wisconsin: Cheeseheads to the north. Don your cheese curds and prepare for a battle over who has the better deep-fried everything.
- Michigan: Across the big ol' pond (aka Lake Michigan) we find Michigan. Fun fact: they share a water border, not a land border, thanks to the lake's watery embrace.
- Indiana: Howdy, neighbor to the east! Home of the Indy 500 and, according to Illinois, slightly less exciting cornfields.
- Kentucky: Southern charm meets Midwestern grit down south. Just don't ask Kentucky why they think Illinois is an island sometimes. It's a whole thing.
- Iowa & Missouri: These two share a watery border with Illinois thanks to the mighty Mississippi River. They probably have lively debates about which side has the better catfish.
Important side note: If you're ever driving through Illinois and see a weird little jut of land sticking out into Missouri, that's Kaskaskia. It's an Illinois exclave, which basically means it's a tiny Illinois separated from the main state by a whole lotta Missouri. Don't worry, it's not a geographical glitch in The Matrix, it's just a quirk of history.
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Still Confused? Don't Worry, We've Got You Covered
Maybe you're more of a visual learner. In that case, picture a giant slice of pizza. Now imagine Illinois as the crust (because, deep dish, duh). Wisconsin is the cheese overflowing on one side, Michigan is chilling in the lake above the crust, Indiana is the neighboring slice, and Kentucky, Missouri, and Iowa are all vying for the leftover corner pieces.
Feeling more geographically secure? Excellent!
Frequently Asked Questions (Because Let's Be Honest, We All Have Them)
How to get to Illinois?
Tip: Focus on sections most relevant to you.
Planes, trains, automobiles - you name it! Illinois has major airports and highways, so getting there is a breeze (unless there's a Chicago winter storm, then maybe bring a parka).
How to tell the difference between Illinois and Indiana?
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Honestly, sometimes the accent is pretty similar. But Illinois might talk more about Chicago, while Indiana is all about the Indy 500.
Reminder: Focus on key sentences in each paragraph.
How to avoid a deep-dish pizza argument in Illinois?
Tread carefully, my friend. Tastes are subjective, but offering to share a slice (or two) goes a long way.
How to deal with Kentucky calling Illinois an island?
QuickTip: Stop to think as you go.
Just smile politely and offer them some delicious deep-dish. A full stomach leads to a happy heart (and hopefully, better geography skills).
How to appreciate the beauty of Illinois?
Explore! From the bustling streets of Chicago to the rolling hills and wineries of southern Illinois, there's something for everyone. Plus, the sunsets over the cornfields are truly epic.
So there you have it! Illinois, a state firmly planted in the Midwest with a whole lotta friendly neighbors (and maybe one slightly confused one). Now you can confidently point out Illinois on a map and impress your friends with your newfound geographical knowledge.
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