Chicago Guide
Introduction to Chicago
Soaring skyward from the pancake-flat prairies of the Midwestern heartland, Chicago has the feel of the last great American city. Founded in 1833, it started as a raw frontier outpost on the sharp edge of civilization and wilderness. Owing to its strategic position as a mid-continental hub, Chicago soon became the engine of the growing nation's westward expansion, reaching its zenith during the industrial age. With its vibrant architecture, ethnic neighbourhoods and extremes in temperature, modern Chicago offers a microcosm of what is most interesting about American cities. Having come into its own during the late nineteenth century, the city remains an economic and cultural hub and still evinces its traditional blue-collar roots. Chicago has the buzz of a large metropolitan area, combined with a small-town spirit and refreshing lack of pretension. Over 44 million visitors flock here annually, seduced by its pioneering architecture, world-class museums and galleries, vibrant nightlife, Michigan Avenue shops and the bustle of the Loop.