Arkansas

Basic Information

Arkansas, located in the southern United States, is known for its diverse natural landscapes and rich cultural history.

Capital

• Little Rock

Largest City

• Little Rock

Area

• 53,179 sq mi

Population

• 3.01 million (2020)

Demographics

Arkansas's population is diverse, with a significant African American presence and growing Hispanic communities.

Ethnic Composition

• White:72.8%
• African American:15.4%
• Hispanic:8.2%
• Asian:1.6%
• Native American:0.8%

Languages

• English:93.9%
• Spanish:4.2%
• Other:1.9%

Age Distribution

• Under 18:23.4%
• 18-64:61.2%
• 65+:15.4%

Population Growth

• Annual Rate:0.3%
• Natural Increase:12,000
• Migration:3,000

Economy

Arkansas's economy is driven by agriculture, retail, manufacturing, and tourism, among other sectors.

GDP

• $137 billion (2022)

Major Industries

• Agriculture
• Retail
• Manufacturing
• Tourism

Employment Rate

• Employed:95.9%
• Unemployment:4.1%

Major Companies

• Walmart
• Tyson Foods
• J.B. Hunt Transport Services
• Dillard's

Climate

Arkansas has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, varying slightly across the state.

Northern Arkansas

• Avg. Summer:88°F
• Avg. Winter:40°F
• Rainfall:48 inches/year

Central Arkansas

• Avg. Summer:90°F
• Avg. Winter:42°F
• Rainfall:50 inches/year

Southern Arkansas

• Avg. Summer:92°F
• Avg. Winter:45°F
• Rainfall:52 inches/year

Visiting Arkansas

Arkansas offers a variety of attractions, from natural wonders to historical sites, making it a diverse destination for visitors.

Best Time to Visit

• Spring:April-May
• Fall:September-October
• Peak Season:June-August

Transportation

• Major Airports:1
• Train Routes:Amtrak Texas Eagle
• Highway System:80,000 miles

Accommodation

• Hotels:3,000+
• Camping Sites:10,000+
• Average Hotel Rate:$100/night

Tourist Information

• Visitor Centers:20+
• Tourism Website:Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism
• Info Hotline:1-800-NATURAL

Popular Attractions

Arkansas's attractions range from natural wonders to historical sites.

Natural Landmarks

• Hot Springs National Park
• Buffalo National River
• Petit Jean State Park
• Blanchard Springs Caverns

Historical Sites

• Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
• Fort Smith National Historic Site
• Arkansas Post National Memorial
• Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park

Cultural Attractions

• Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
• Arkansas Arts Center
• Walton Arts Center
• Ozark Folk Center State Park

Unique Experiences

• Crater of Diamonds State Park
• Arkansas Wine Trail
• Fishing and hunting opportunities

History

Arkansas's history is marked by early Native American settlements, Spanish exploration, territorial status, and statehood.

Early History

• Native Peoples:12,000+ years
• Spanish Exploration:1541
• French Settlement:1686

19th Century

• Louisiana Purchase:1803
• Territorial Status:1819
• Statehood:1836

20th Century

• Agricultural Development
• Civil Rights Movement
• Rise of Retail Industry

Recent History

• Economic Diversification
• Tourism Growth
• Cultural Preservation

State Symbols

Arkansas has adopted various official state symbols that represent its natural and cultural heritage.

State Animals

• State Animal:

  White-tailed Deer
• State Bird:

  Mockingbird
• State Fish:

  Ozark Cavefish
• State Insect:

  Honeybee

State Plants

• State Flower:

  Apple Blossom
• State Tree:

  Pine Tree
• State Grape:

  Cynthiana Grape
• State Beverage:

  Milk

Cultural Symbols

• State Colors:

  Cardinal and White
• State Song:

  "Arkansas"
• State Motto:

  "Regnat Populus" (The People Rule)

Other Symbols

• State Gemstone:

  Diamond
• State Mineral:

  Bauxite
• State Rock:

  Novaculite

State Facts

Interesting and unique facts about Arkansas that showcase its distinctive character and achievements.

Geographic Facts

• Highest Point:

  Mount Magazine (2,753 ft)
• Longest River:

  Arkansas River
• Largest Lake:

  Lake Ouachita
• Lowest Point:

  Ouachita River (55 ft)

Records & Rankings

• Home to Walmart's headquarters
• Significant rice and poultry production
• Only active diamond mine in the U.S.

Notable Firsts

• First national park to include a city (Hot Springs)
• Significant role in early aviation history
• Early development of the retail industry

Unique Features

• Diverse natural landscapes
• Rich musical heritage (blues, country)
• Significant historical landmarks

Government & Politics

Arkansas has a constitutionally mandated structure encompassing Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

Governor

• Sarah Huckabee Sanders (as of 2023)

Legislature

• Bicameral:State Senate and House of Representatives

Political Trends

• Historically Democratic, shifting Republican trends

Key Political Issues

• Education
• Healthcare
• Economic Development
• Agriculture

Time Zones

Arkansas observes Central Time Zone (CT), with daylight saving time observed.

Standard Time

• Central Standard Time (CST, UTC -6)

Daylight Saving

• Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC -5)

Education

Arkansas has a public education system that includes K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities.

Major Public Systems

• University of Arkansas System
• Arkansas State University System
• University of Central Arkansas

Notable Private Institutions

• Hendrix College
• Lyon College
• John Brown University

K-12 System

• Public school system with local control

Key Educational Initiatives

• Early childhood education programs
• STEM education focus
• Workforce development initiatives

Culture & Festivals

Arkansas's cultural scene is rich with music, arts, and festivals celebrating its heritage.

Major Festivals

• Arkansas State Fair
• King Biscuit Blues Festival
• Ozark Folk Festival
• Riverfest (Little Rock)

Music & Arts

• Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
• Walton Arts Center
• Various local art walks and events

Regional Traditions

• Ozark Mountain culture
• Blues and country music heritage
• Outdoor recreational activities

Sports & Teams

Arkansas has a strong sports culture, particularly in college sports, with significant local interest.

College Sports

• University of Arkansas Razorbacks
• Arkansas State University Red Wolves
• Significant local college sports rivalries

Minor League Teams

• Arkansas Travelers (baseball)
• Various local sports teams

Notable Sporting Events

• Various college sports events
• Fishing and hunting tournaments

Cuisine & Local Specialties

Arkansas cuisine features southern comfort foods, barbecue, and local specialties.

Signature Dishes

• Fried Catfish
• Barbecue (various styles)
• Chocolate Gravy
• Rice dishes

Agricultural Products

• Rice, Poultry, Soybeans, Cotton
• Various locally grown vegetables

Local Markets

• Farmers markets in major cities
• Local food festivals

Infrastructure

Arkansas's infrastructure includes transportation networks, water management systems, and energy facilities.

Highway System

• Extensive network of state and interstate highways

Public Transportation

• Limited public transit options
• Regional airports and Amtrak services

Water Management

• Water resources for agriculture
• Flood control systems

Energy & Utilities

• Mix of natural gas, coal, and renewable energy
• Water and sewage systems managed by local governments

Notable Historical Figures

Arkansas has produced many influential figures in history, arts, and politics.

Historical Leaders

• Bill Clinton (former U.S. President)
• Douglas MacArthur (General)
• Orval Faubus (former Arkansas Governor)

Arts & Sciences

• Johnny Cash (musician)
• Maya Angelou (author, poet)
• William Fulbright (politician)

Political Figures

• J. William Fulbright (U.S. Senator)
• Dale Bumpers (U.S. Senator)
• David Pryor (U.S. Senator)

State Government Services

Arkansas provides a range of public services through various state agencies.

Health Services

• Medicaid, ARKids First

Social Services

• Food assistance, welfare programs

Environmental Agencies

• Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality

Parks & Recreation

• State parks and recreational areas
• Wildlife management and conservation

Key Historical Documents & Landmarks

Historic documents and sites reflect Arkansas's journey through territorial status and statehood.

State Constitution

• Original 1836 Constitution
• Current constitution with amendments

Historical Sites

• Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
• Fort Smith National Historic Site
• Arkansas Post National Memorial

Archival Repositories

• Arkansas State Archives
• University of Arkansas Libraries

Environmental Initiatives

Arkansas focuses on conservation and management of its natural resources.

Conservation Programs

• Wildlife habitat protection
• State park preservation

Air and Water Quality

• Monitoring and regulation of emissions
• Water resource management

Natural Resource Management

• Forestry and agriculture practices
• Water resource management

Major Events & Conferences

Arkansas hosts various events and conferences that highlight its culture, industries, and natural attractions.

Cultural Events

• Arkansas State Fair
• King Biscuit Blues Festival
• Ozark Folk Festival
• Riverfest (Little Rock)

Sports Events

• Various college sports events
• Fishing and hunting tournaments

Trade Shows

• Agriculture industry conferences
• Retail industry events

Outdoor Events

• Hiking and outdoor recreation festivals
• Fishing and hunting events