Arkansas

Guide Note

Arkansas is in the south of the United States bordered by Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south and Oklahoma and a small portion of Texas to the west. The Mississippi River runs along the eastern border. Arkansas is also home to the Ozark mountains and Ouachita mountains.

Fast Facts

1. Capital: Little Rock
2. Governor: Mike Beebe
3. Population: 2,673,400
4. Founded: June 15, 1836
5. Time zones: Central
6. Major cities: Little Rock, Fayetteville, Springdale
7. Official state items: Mockingbird (bird), Apple Blossom (flower), Pine Tree (tree)
8. Nickname: The Natural State

The state of Arkansas got it name from an Indian tribe called the Quapaws that were settled in the state when the first European visitors arrived in the 16th Century. Many places in Arkansas are French pronunciations of Indian words. In 1803 Arkansas was acquired by the United States in the Louisiana purchase. In 1861 Arkansas joined the Confederacy during the Civil War, but in 1863 the northern part of the state was occupied by Union troops.

Arkansas is the leader in producing rice, soybeans and cotton in the United States. Arkansas also has the only active diamond mine in the United States located near Murfreesboro, with the diamond mine being operated as a tourist attraction.

The Arkansas river flows southeast across the state running between the Ozark plateau and the Ouachita mountains then down to the southern and eastern plains emptying into the Mississippi river. Other rivers in Arkansas include the St. Francis river, Red river, White river and the Quachita river. The capitol and also largest city in Arkansas is Little Rock. A large amount of Arkansas is still in its natural state and includes large wilderness areas which attracts many tourists.