The most populous city in Illinois and the Midwestern United States. In the last census in 1920, the city had 2.7 million inhabitants, with more in the metropolitan area around it. Located on the shore of [[Lake Michigan]], it was incorporated in 1837 near a portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River watershed, growing rapidly in the mid 19th century. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed several square miles and made more than 100.000 people homeless. ==== Neighbourhoods ==== With millions of inhabitants, Chicago has many neighbourhoods, though som. The ones listed here are more notable than others.part of Central Chicago * North * [[Little Hell]] * [[Old Town]] * [[Near North]] * [[Smokey Hollow]] * [[Old Town]] North Coast * [[Gold Coast]] * [[Near North]] * [[River North]] * [[Streeterville]] * Central * [[The Loop]] * [[Little Italy]] * [[West Town]] South * [[Illinois Medical District]] * [[South Loop]] * [[Chinatown]]