It was a shock to many hoping for the city of Big Shoulders to host the 2016 Olympic Games. While America reacts to Chicago not being chosen, we know here are some things the world should know about our great city from the hard-working organizers of Chicago 2016.

  • Chicago is called home to many people of many nations
  • 8 million people live in Chicago and surrounding areas
  • According to The Economist, Chicago ranked as the world’s fourth-largest city economy in 2005, behind Tokyo, New York and Los Angeles and just ahead of Paris.
  • Chicago is home to 114 colleges and universities and more than 475,000 students, including approximately 15,400 international students.
  • 25.8 miles of public shoreline
  • 77 distinct neighborhoods
  • 15,000 restaurants
  • 29 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Chicago
  • 300 Gardens and green roofs constructed to-date in the city
  • 26 ethnic groups, each with populations of at least 25,000 living in Chicago
  • 70 International destinations O’Hare International Airport connects Chicago to