An area of downtown
Chicago,
Illinois, of approximately 36 square blocks bounded by
Lake Street to the north,
Van Buren Street to the south,
Wells Street to the west, and
Wabash Avenue to the east. The
elevated train, or "el" tracks, run above these streets to form a large circle around the enclosed blocks.
In less strict terms, the broader Loop area is generally considered to run from Wacker Drive on the north to Congress Drive on the south, and from Wacker Drive on the west to Michigan Avenue on the east.