Prairie du Chien, Crawford County. August, 1970. Altitude c. 8,000 feet. The entire city of Prairie du Chien is in view in this high oblique, northward-oriented photograph. Many wooded islands appear in the channel of the Mississippi River, and Iowa can be seen at upper left. Prairie du Chien (center and lower right) is situated on the floodplain and low terraces of the Mississippi River. Wooded bluffs mark the eastern limit of the river valley at right. Remnants of the French long-lot system are still apparent, particularily to the north of the city. Prairie du Chien and Green Bay are the oldest communities in the state, having been settled by the French during the 1600's.