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Excerpt

CHICAGO IS a city of architectural gems, vibrant neighborhoods, beloved sports teams, prestigious cultural institutions, and outstanding attractions. The major metropolis of the American heartland, Chicago boasts a population of nearly three million people, making it the third most populous city in the country.

Founded in 1833, Chicago was known for its stockyards, steel mills and railroads when the Great Fire of 1871 destroyed most of the city. But a great building boom followed, and today the city's skyline is among the world's most famous and most beautiful.

Popularly called the Windy City, Chicago is also known as the City of Big Shoulders. Its generosity of spirit has welcomed waves of newcomers and travelers, and the city is justifiably proud of its reputation as a friendly place. In the words of one song celebrating the city, "You'll lose the blues in Chicago."

Chicago is a patchwork of neighborhoods and, not surprisingly, a city of great food and regional specialties. It has a thriving downtown, providing an almost unlimited variety of things to do and see. The contemporary Millennium Park offers music, art, and the stainless-steel Cloud Gate sculpture — nicknamed the Bean because of its shape — which lets visitors see their own reflection against the city's breathtaking skyline.

Chicago is a great sports town, too, where enthusiasts find professional teams of every major American sport. And there are renowned cultural institutions, a diverse and lively theater scene, the world-famous Navy Pier and other family attractions, the Magnificent Mile with its high-end shops — and so much more.

But most of all, Chicago is a city of people. Some of them, including President Obama, are influential. All of them are extremely proud to be part of such a marvelous place.

From its soaring towers to its lakefront beaches, and from its diverse neighborhoods to its varied attractions, Chicago offers an abundance of treasures. We hope you'll enjoy them as you travel the pages of America the Beautiful — Chicago.