Marion Travel Guide, Illinois

The city of Marion happens to be the biggest retail trade center of Southern Illinois and it is also the 2nd most populated city in Southern Illinois. The city of Marion is situated right in the intersection point of two different highways namely Interstate 57 Illinois Route 13. The foundation for the city of Marion was laid down in the year 1839 and since then it has been the county seat for County of Williamson.

As per the census of 2006, the population for the city of Marion was around 17000 inhabitants and this number has been continuously growing since then. The per capita income for the city of Marion is around $19000 which is great when compared to many other small cities of the United States of America. The city of Marion is located in the proximity of two huge lush green areas namely Shawnee National Forest and Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. Both are just a couple miles away from the city, thus they become important tourist hot spots for any tourist that hits this city. Also located in the proximity of the city is the United States Penitentiary which is actually the replacement for the old Alcatraz Island Prison.

The city of Marion does not have its own airport but it is served by the nearby Williamson County Regional Airport which is around 6 kilometers away from the city of Marion. Thus, the city of Marion might not be having its own airport officially but for the locals and the tourists Williamson County Regional Airport acts as the city’s airport.

Statistics show that the city of Marion stretches over an area of around 35 square kilometers of which around 33 square kilometers is land and around 2 square kilometers of the total is water.

The retail industry in the city of Marion is huge and this is the reason why so many tourists hit this city - they get the chance to visit various shopping centers so as to buy different products. It is due to this retail industry that the city of Marion has become the fastest growing city of Illinois. Actually it’s the location of this city at the intersection of two huge highways which makes it an important city.