Illinois and the Great Plains and Prairies

Illinois' Prairies

Illinois is a lot like the Great Plains and Prairies of the United States in that it's economy depends greatly on agriculture, its topography has minor variations throughout the state, and the state is hit by severe weather as are the great plains and prairies. 

Illinois depends on its agricultural industry to sustain a healthy economy which was mentioned in more detail in the last blog on the agricultural core. Diving a little bit more into agriculture in order to tie Illinois to Chapter 12, Illinois also has large farms, but they are nowhere close to the size of the farms located within the great plains and prairies. According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, a typical Illinois farm is about 368 acres whereas farms in the great plains and prairies exceed 1000 acres and some are even as large as 2000 acres. Illinois' agricultural industry is also healthy because of its 1,118 miles of navigable waterways which is similar to the great plains and prairies. They both are on top of issues regarding water use for irrigation of crops and the water debate continues in both the great plains and in Illinois as well. Agriculture also flourishes in the state because there is relatively little change in the topography of Illinois which makes it easy to plant crops.

Illinois is also hit by severe weather from time to time as are the great plains. Illinois averages about 51 thunderstorm days a year and averages about 35 tornadoes per year. This is similar to the great plains and prairies which is located within Tornado Alley. Illinois is at the top end of Tornado Alley, but it is not spared from tornadoes whatsoever. In fact, some of the deadliest tornadoes on record have occurred in Illinois due to the fact that it is one of the more populated states within Tornado Alley.

Illinois Thunderstorm