Standing in the middle of Chicago, one might not be aware that the city is surrounded by some of the most productive agricultural lands in the country. However, the booming metropolis that we know today grew out of the inventions and trade born from its connection to the agricultural heartland. The fertile soil and perfect climate of the Midwest provide the ideal growing conditions for corn, wheat, and soybeans, which has developed the region as a leader in agricultural production in the country and the world. Transportation has played a vital role in connecting crops Michigan and the Illinois & Michigan Canal has been essential for trade. Despite the stark contrast with its rural surroundings, Chicago cannot be separated from the Midwest. In reality, the identity of the city owes itself to the many rural and urban spaces that surround it.
