Chicago is a major U.S. city in the state of Illinois. With an inner city population of nearly three million people, the city is the largest in the Midwest. Chicago is also the third-most populous city in the United States. The Chicago Metropolitan area the third largest in the United States having a population of over 9.4 million in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.

Chicago is located along the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. The city has the honor of being the major center of transportation, industry, politics, culture, finance, medicine and higher education. The "Second City," the "Windy City," "Chi-town," and the "City of the Big Shoulders" are the informal names of Chicago.

Chicago, like much of the Midwest, has a climate with a wide range of weather conditions. The city experiences four distinct seasons. The warmest month is July with high temperatures average 84 °F (29 °C) and low temperatures 63 °F (17 °C). The coldest month is January with high temperatures average 29 °F (-2 °C) and low temperatures averaging 13 °F (-10 °C).

The annual rainfall of Chicago averages about 38 inches (965 mm). Summer is the rainiest season, with short-lived rainfall and thunderstorms more common than prolonged rainy periods. Winter is the driest season and most of the precipitation falls in the form of snow.

Chicago has a major theater scene. Renowned Chicago theater companies include the Steppenwolf Theatre Company (on the city's north side), the Goodman Theatre, and the Victory Gardens Theater. Other theatres, from nearly 100 storefront performance spaces such as the Strawdog Theatre Company, the House Theatre Company, TimeLine Theatre Company and Remy Bumppo Theatre Company. A variety of plays and musicals are presented in these splendid theaters.

The modern improvisational comedy took birth in this city. Chicago is also home to two renowned comedy troupes: The Second City and I.O. (formerly known as ImprovOlympic). in the Lakeview area to landmark The Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet, and several modern and jazz dance troupes are located in Chicago. The city's classical music scene is also home to companies including Music of the Baroque, Chicago Opera Theater, the Chicago Chamber Musicians, Chicago a cappella, and many others.

Tourism

Chicago is one of the biggest tourist place of the U.S.( http://united-states.ixs.net/ ) It attracts the visitors not only from the U.S but also from all over the world. Chicago is famous for its luxury shopping along the Magnificent Mile, thousands of restaurants, as well as it’s position as global architectural capital. The city is also a convention hub.In 2005, Thirty-three million foreign and domestic visitors came to Chicago.

Navy Pier is located north of Grant Park on the lakefront, and is one of the most visited landmarks in the Midwest. Its area is 3000-foot (900 m) and is housing restaurants, shops, museums, exhibition halls, auditoriums, and a 150-foot-tall (45 m) Ferris wheel. It is a great attractive place for the visitors.

The Chicago Cultural Center was built as Chicago's first permanent public library in 1897. It now houses the city's Visitor Information Center, galleries, and exhibit halls. The ceiling of Preston Bradley Hall includes a 38-foot (11 m) Tiffany glass dome.

Millennium Park is a rebuilt section of a former railyard. The original sculpture Cloud Gate (known locally as The Bean) is also included in the park. A curved image of the Chicago skyline is reflected back when visitors face The Bean and Lake Michigan. There is also a restaurant in the Millennium Park. In the winter, the outdoor seating section of the restaurant is transformed into an ice skating rink.

The Crown Fountain is made of two tall glass sculptures. It presents a superb scene.The fountain's two towers display huge LED images of Chicagoans' faces, with water spouting from their pursed lips.

Frank Gehry's ornate stainless steel bandshell, Pritzker Pavilion, is home to the Grant Park Music Festival. It is a free summer series of classical concerts.

Behind the pavilion's stage is the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, an indoor venue for mid-sized performing arts companies, including Chicago Opera Theater and Music of the Baroque. Gehry's stainless steel BP Bridge connects Millennium Park with Daley Bicentennial Plaza.

Brookfield Zoo is one of the best zoological parks in the US. It is located a few miles west of the city in the suburb of Brookfield.

Chicago is place of many wonderful museums of historical importance. These include Chicago Blues Museum, DuSable Museum of African American History, Field Museum, Chicago's natural history museum.