The Windy city

I landed in Chicago at a very wrong time, the fall had ended and winter had just crept in. It was cold and it was gloomy. The mercury was always around zero and the winds blew steadily, befetting the "Windy City".
But the weather Gods seemed to be kind on me. There were a couple of sunny days (by chicagoland standards) which i utilized to the maximum, went around the city and clicked pictures of what ever i could see around..

First lets try gather some GK about this place.. :-)

Chicago, the third most populous city in the United States, is located on the banks of Lake Michigan in the central american state of Illinois. The city was developed in an around the Chicago River in the early part of 19th century. Chicago river flows right through the heart of the metropolis, finally emptying itself into the Lake Michigan, forming the biggest natural harbour of the lake. The city falls under the Central Time zone, which is 11.30 hrs behind IST.

A large part of the city including the entire central buisiness district was destroyed in the great chicago fire of 1871. The Water Tower and the Chicago Avenue Pumping station being the only survivors of that fire. The city is home for many sky scrappers including the Sears Tower, which was the tallest building in the world for a long time. The Tribune Tower, Wringley Buiding and John Hancock Center being some of the other prominent land marks.

Chicago is considered to be a major railway hub of the united states, and caters to a large portion of country's frieght transportation. The city also has two airports with daily connections to all major cities of the world.

I could draw parallels between Chicago and Paris, the other world city which i have been to. Both the cities have very efficent transport systems with metros, buses and suburban trains. Both the cities boast of a main shopping avenue where all the glamour and night life is concentrated on. Many historical buidings in chicago resembles the ones in paris, though not as old and plentiful. Chicago like Paris, is also known for its theaters and performing arts.

The down town of Chicago is called as "The Loop". The term actually refers to an area bounded by a public transit circuit along Lake Street on the north, Wabash Avenue on the east, Van Buren Street on the south, and Wells Street on the west, but in general use it refers to the whole central business district.