The greater Chicago area, "Chicagoland", shares much in common with other major metropolitan areas but also has a great number of features unique to its location, built environment, and history. The city evolved with a focal point of trade at its center and progressive rings of commercial, industrial, residential and agricultural areas moving outward. This pattern, along with the eastern boundary at Lake Michigan, funneled the metropolitan area into a shape somewhat like a baseball field or a half-moon that angles inward. The city itself showcases phenomenal architecture and world-class museums, mainly in its downtown Loop area. Hyde Park and the University of Chicago, as well as Lincoln Park with its well-known zoo, also represent major attractions for the city. The suburban areas have a great deal to offer, some of which gets frequently overlooked. Evanston and the North Shore highlights are well-heralded, as is Oak Park's world-known architecture and the fauna and flaura of Brookfield Zoo and the Morton Arboretum, respectively. Less celebrated but well-worth a visit are the historical and commercial landmarks of the Northwest Suburbs, and the picturesque Americana of the South Suburbs. Great natural areas and charming smaller cities line Chicagoland's frontier, and beyond these other cultural centers in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana abound.

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