Springfield

Capital of Illinois, seat of Sangamon County, 300 km/190 mi southwest of Chicago; population (2000 est) 111,500. It is the financial, commercial, distribution, and service centre of a rich agricultural area. Springfield's economy focuses upon the insurance and health care industries. Manufactured products include processed foods, machinery, metalware, building materials, and electronic goods. Springfield was settled in 1818 and became the state capital in 1837. President Abraham Lincoln was buried here in 1865.

Lincoln lived and practised law in Springfield from 1837 until he became president in 1861. Lincoln's New Salem State Park, 25km/16 mi northwest of the city, commemorates where he first lived in the area. His home and tomb are among the 42 historic sites in Springfield on the national register of historic places. In 2001, work started on the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum; estimated costs of the project are US$115 million.

Features include the Greek Revival Old State Capital (1837); Illinois State Museum (1877); the centennial building, containing the Illinois State Historical Library (1889); and state fairgrounds. Institutions of higher education include Sangamon State University (1969) which merged with University of Illinois in 1996 to form the University of Illinois at Springfield.