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Springfield Illinois

Springfield, Illinois
City
City of Springfield
The Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois.
The Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois.
Flag
Flag
Seal
Seal
Nickname(s): Flower City
Motto: Home of President Abraham Lincoln
Location in Sangamon County and the state of Illinois
Location in Sangamon County and the state of Illinois
Location of Illinois in the United States
Location of Illinois in the United States
Coordinates: 39°41′54″N 89°37′11″W / 39.69833°N 89.61972°W / 39.69833; -89.61972Coordinates: 39°41′54″N 89°37′11″W / 39.69833°N 89.61972°W / 39.69833; -89.61972
Country United States
State Illinois
County Sangamon
Founded April 10, 1821
Incorporated Town April 2, 1832
City Charter April 6, 1840
Government
Area
 • City 66.38 sq mi (171.91 km2)
 • Land 60.09 sq mi (155.64 km2)
 • Water 6.28 sq mi (16.27 km2)
Elevation 558 ft (170 m)
Population (2010)
 • Estimate (2016) 115,510
 • Density 1,925.63/sq mi (743.49/km2)
 • Metro 211,752
Time zone CST (UTC−6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC−5)
ZIP codes
Area code 217
FIPS code 17-167-11046
Website www.springfield.il.us

Springfield is the capital of the U.S. state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County. The city's population of 116,250 as of the 2010 U.S. Census makes it the state's sixth most populous city. It is the largest city in central Illinois. As of 2013, the city's population was estimated to have increased to 117,006, with just over 211,700 residents living in the Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Sangamon County and the adjacent Menard County.

Present-day Springfield was settled by European Americans in the late 1810s, around the time Illinois became a state. The most famous historic resident was Abraham Lincoln, who lived in Springfield from 1837 until 1861, when he went to the White House as President. Major tourist attractions include multiple sites connected with Lincoln including his presidential library and museum, his home from 1837 to 1861, his tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery, and the historical town of New Salem, within a short drive from the city.

The city lies in a valley and plain near the Sangamon River. Lake Springfield, a large artificial lake owned by the City Water, Light & Power company (CWLP), supplies the city with recreation and drinking water. Weather is fairly typical for middle latitude locations, with hot summers and cold winters. Spring and summer weather is like that of most midwestern cities; severe thunderstorms may occur. Tornadoes hit the Springfield area in 1957 and 2006.


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