BELVIDERE, a city of Illinois, U.S.A., Tom. N.W. of Chicago, on the Kishwaukee river, at an altitude of 800f t. ; the county seat of Boone county. It is on Federal highway 20, and is served by the Chicago and North Western railroad, which has here its terminal yards for three divisions. The population in 193o was 8,123. The fertile river valley produces chiefly grain and hay, and milk for the Chicago market. Manufactures in clude sewing-machines, washing-machines, industrial alcohol, cas ket hardware, corsets, overalls, artificial flowers, radios, computing scales and milk-bottle caps. The municipal water supply comes from artesian wells. Belvidere was founded in 1836 and incor porated in 1852 and again in 1881.