According to INDEXDOTCOM, Illinois is located in the midwestern and Great Lakes region of the United States. It is bordered by Wisconsin to the north, Iowa to the west, Missouri to the south, and Indiana to the east. The state has a total area of 57,918 square miles and is divided into three distinct regions: Central Illinois, Northern Illinois, and Southern Illinois. Central Illinois is home to most of the state’s population and includes Chicago and its suburbs. Northern Illinois consists mostly of rolling hills and valleys with some areas of flatlands and wetlands. Southern Illinois is known for its hilly terrain and many lakes, rivers, and forests. The highest point in the state is Charles Mound in Jo Daviess County at 1,235 feet above sea level. According to SIMPLYYELLOWPAGES, Illinois is home to some of the top universities in the country. The University of Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Illinois Institute of Technology are all highly ranked universities. These institutions have a wide range of academic offerings and research opportunities, ranging from traditional liberal arts programs to specialized engineering and technology degrees. In addition to these four major universities, Illinois also has a number of smaller public and private colleges and universities that are well-regarded for their unique course offerings and faculty expertise.