Central Illinois
Southward and westward, the second major division is Central Illinois, an area of mostly flat prairie with the exception of areas along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers that are steeped in hills and bluffs hanging high above the rivers providing commanding views for miles. The western section (west of the Illinois River) was originally part of the Military Tract of 1812 and forms the distinctive western bulge of state. Central Illinois is characterized by small towns and mid-sized cities. Agriculture, particularly corn and soybeans, figures prominently. Major cities include Peoria, and Springfield (the state capital), also in the south of this region is the State's former capitol, Vandalia . The Champaign-Urbana Metropolitan Area is located in the central region of the state and is composed of (Champaign, Ford, and Piatt) counties, the area had a population of 210,275 at the 2000 census It is centered at the University of Illinois).
Read more about this topic: Regions Of Illinois, Geographical Divisions
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