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Nicknamed the Windy City, Chicago is situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, giving city dwellers their very own beach with a unique skyscraper backdrop. Chicago boasts one of the highest populations in the country, with more than 2.7 million residents. This Midwest city experiences warm summers and harsh winters with plenty of snow. Sports has a lot to do with Chicago's identity, with renowned teams like the Chicago Bulls (NBA), Bears (NFL), Blackhawks (NHL) and the White Sox and Cubs (MLB) entertaining fans year-round.
The Loop is Chicago's central business district, attracting employees in finance, commerce, technology, telecommunications and transport. The metro area (a.k.a. Chicagoland) has one of the largest labor pools in the U.S. The city's top employers include Baird & Warner, Abt Electronics, Rush-Copley Medical Center and Coyote Logistics. Chicago has more than 600 public primary and secondary schools and is home to several of the nation's top universities, including the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Loyola University Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, DePaul University and University of Illinois at Chicago.
Chicago is divided into 77 well-defined communities that contain around 200 different neighborhoods. The North Side is a densely populated, residential area full of high rises, while the South Side's University of Chicago and Hyde Park make it popular for students. The West Side is one of the most ethnically diverse areas of the city, while to the East you'll find Lake Michigan and residents who enjoy waterfront living. Public transport makes life easy in this massive city. Chicago Transit Authority runs 24-hour rail and bus services, while Metra is a popular commuter rail and Pace provides efficient bus services.
Have a slice of Chicago-style pizza or play and stay a while at one of Lake Michigan's many beaches. From wandering through the city's many art museums and parks to catching a world-famous sports team playing basketball, football or basketball, Chicago is packed to the brim with adventure.