# Illinois River

> Illinois tributary of the Mississippi River in the United States

**Wikidata**: [Q8321](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8321)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_River)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/illinois-river

## Summary
The Illinois River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the United States, flowing through the state of Illinois. It is part of the larger river system that connects to the Mississippi and ultimately to the Gulf of Mexico, playing a significant role in the region's hydrology and transportation.

## Key Facts
- **Tributary of the Mississippi River**: The Illinois River is a major tributary, contributing to the Mississippi River system.
- **Location**: Flows through the state of Illinois, United States.
- **Part of the Mississippi River Basin**: The river is part of the larger Mississippi River Basin, which drains into the Gulf of Mexico.
- **Transportation Route**: Historically, the Illinois River has been used as a transportation route, facilitating trade and commerce.
- **Watershed**: The river drains a significant portion of Illinois, supporting local ecosystems and agriculture.

## FAQs
**What is the Illinois River's role in the Mississippi River system?**
The Illinois River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River, contributing to the river's flow and overall hydrology. It is part of the Mississippi River Basin, which drains into the Gulf of Mexico.

**How does the Illinois River impact the environment and local communities?**
The Illinois River supports local ecosystems, agriculture, and transportation, playing a crucial role in the region's economy and natural resources.

**What historical significance does the Illinois River hold?**
The Illinois River has been historically significant as a transportation route, connecting Illinois to the broader Mississippi River system and facilitating trade and commerce.

## Why It Matters
The Illinois River is essential to the hydrology and economy of Illinois, supporting agriculture, transportation, and local ecosystems. As a tributary of the Mississippi River, it plays a critical role in the region's water resources and overall environmental health. Its historical significance as a transportation route underscores its importance in Illinois's development and connectivity.

## Notable For
- **Major Tributary**: One of the largest tributaries of the Mississippi River, contributing significantly to its flow.
- **Hydrological Importance**: Supports local ecosystems, agriculture, and water supply.
- **Historical Transportation Route**: Facilitated trade and commerce in Illinois and the broader Mississippi River Basin.

## Body
### Geography and Hydrology
The Illinois River flows through the state of Illinois, United States, as a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is part of the Mississippi River Basin, which drains into the Gulf of Mexico. The river supports local ecosystems, agriculture, and water supply, playing a crucial role in the region's hydrology.

### Historical Significance
The Illinois River has been historically significant as a transportation route, connecting Illinois to the broader Mississippi River system. This connectivity facilitated trade and commerce, supporting the state's economic development.

### Environmental Impact
The Illinois River supports local ecosystems, including wildlife habitats and agricultural lands. Its waters contribute to the region's water resources, supporting drinking water supply and irrigation.

### Economic Role
The Illinois River has historically been used for transportation, including barge traffic and trade along the Mississippi River system. This role has been crucial to Illinois's economy, particularly in supporting agriculture and commerce.

### Related Entities
The Illinois River is connected to the Mississippi River, which it feeds into, and the broader Mississippi River Basin. It is also linked to Illinois's transportation infrastructure, including barge routes and trade networks. The river's watershed supports local agriculture and ecosystems, contributing to the state's natural resources.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. GeoNames
4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File