Chicago's topography is remarkably flat, a characteristic of the natural prairie and marshland upon which it was built. The average elevation is roughly 594 feet (181 meters) above sea level.
* **Highest Point:** A ridge in the Blue Island and Mount Greenwood area on the city's far South Side, reaching approximately 672 feet (205 meters). * **Lowest Point:** The Lake Michigan shoreline, which sits at about 578 feet (176 meters). * **Coastal Areas:** The city boasts 26 miles of uninterrupted public lakefront, featuring sandy beaches, harbors, and reclaimed land created using debris from the Great Chicago Fire. * **Waterways:** The natural topography was altered by the creation of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, linking the Great Lakes with the Des Plaines River.