Illinois Physical Geography: Prairies, Rivers, and the Mississippi

Illinois spans the Midwest, bordered by WI, MI (Lake Michigan), IN, KY, MO, IA. Topography: flat prairies north, rolling hills south. Highest point: Charles Mound (1,235 ft) in Jo Daviess County. Lowest: Mississippi River (279 ft) at western border. Major rivers: Illinois River (bisects state), Kaskaskia River (south), both feed the Mississippi. Lake Michigan forms the northeast shoreline. Landmarks: Willis Tower (2nd tallest US), Field Museum (natural history).