Champaign, University city in Illinois, United States
Champaign is a city in Champaign County in Illinois in the United States and covers about 60 square kilometers (23 square miles) of flat land with tree-lined streets. Residential areas, commercial zones and educational facilities including the University of Illinois connect through a network of roads across the entire municipal territory.
The settlement began in 1855 as West Urbana along the Illinois Central Railroad tracks and took its present name when it gained city status in 1860. The University of Illinois was founded in 1867 and has shaped the development and growth of the community since then.
The Virginia Theatre opened in 1921 and still shows films, concerts and stage performances while keeping its original architecture intact. Visitors can see the historic interior with its preserved details during regular events throughout the year.
The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District runs regular bus routes connecting all major areas including the university campus and downtown. Most streets follow a simple grid pattern that makes navigation easier for visitors.
The Research Park at the university houses many technology companies and startups working on innovations in fields like computer science and biotechnology. This concentration of research facilities has earned the area the nickname Silicon Prairie.
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