The term 'Geographical Symbol of Middle America' can be summarized as the city of Peoria, which is a 6-letter word. Peoria is a city located in the U.S. state of Illinois, on the Illinois River. It is the county seat of Peoria County and the largest city on the Illinois River. Peoria is the home of Bradley University, a private university founded in 1897. The city is also known for its many museums, including the Peoria Riverfront Museum, the Pettengill-Morron House, and the Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences. Peoria is also home to the Peoria Chiefs, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Chicago Cubs.