Illinois - The US Explained

The river winds through a canyon, at times more than a thousand feet from top to bottom. But unlike the canyons of the west, its walls are made not of earth and rock, but of glass and steel, a man made wonder showcasing some of the most famous buildings in the world, the birthplace of the skyscraper itself. It’s a town that, sitting in one of the most strategically-placed locations in the country, rose from actual ashes to become among the largest and most iconic cities in the world, an essential conduit for global commerce, transportation, and culture, a classic American metropolis that today is the largest US city in the country’s interior. But Illinois is far from just Chicago. It’s home to vast stretches of productive farmland, wide and mighty rivers, and unglaciated pockets of hills and forests. Numerous other smaller cities help make it one of the populous states in the country. While mostly in the Midwest, Illinois is a large state, and its southern tip is culturally more a part of the South. Regionally and culturally diverse, and home to a huge population, Illinois has long played a leading role in the history, society, and culture of the United States. This is Episode 22 - Illinois.