Chicago, the third-most populous city in the United States with 2.74 million residents as of 2020, is located on the western shore of Lake Michigan and serves as the most populous city in both Illinois and the Midwestern United States. Founded by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable in the 1780s and incorporated in 1837, the city rapidly grew into a vital hub, demonstrating remarkable resilience by rebuilding swiftly after the devastating Great Chicago Fire in 1871.
Today, Chicago stands as an international powerhouse in finance, commerce, and transportation, hosting the world's largest finance derivatives market and home to O'Hare International Airport, routinely ranked among the busiest globally. Renowned for its significant contributions to architecture, urban planning, and culture, the "Windy City" attracts millions of tourists annually with its vibrant arts scene, including jazz and blues, improvisational comedy, and prestigious institutions like the University of Chicago.