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Arkansas Facts

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State Capital: Little Rock, its largest city, founded in 1812
State Nickname: The Natural State
State Flower: Apple blossom
State Bird: Mockingbird
State Song: Arkansas, words and music by Eva Ware Barnett.
State Stone: The diamond
State Tree: Pine tree
Number of Counties: 75
Population: 2.6 million people, with most of the population living in rural areas. Population centers are in Northwest Arkansas, Little Rock-North Little Rock, Fort Smith, Pine Bluff and Jonesboro.

Arkansas is comprised of six natural geographic regions; the Ozark Mountains in the northwest part of the state, the Arkansas River Valley, the Ouachita Mountains in the south central part of the state, the Gulf Coastal Plain or Timberlands in southern Arkansas, and the Mississippi Alluvial Plain or Delta. Arkansas’ main rivers are the Mississippi, Arkansas, White, St. Francis, Red, Ouachita, and their tributaries.

Arkansas contains many minerals with an annual production valued of more than one billion dollars. Petroleum, natural gas, and bromine are the top three produced. Bauxite, which is used to make aluminum, gypsum, titanium, zinc, limestone, manganese, and other mineral deposits are also mined in Arkansas. The most unique thing mined in the state is the diamond. In 1906 John M. Huddleston discovered diamonds in Arkansas, the only area in North America where diamonds have been found in any quantity.

Arkansas weather is usually without extreme heat or cold, with average temperatures ranging from 58-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Arkansas has four distinct seasons with spring and fall being very mild and summer and winter being more extreme. Arkansas weather can change very dramatically due to its central location.

Arkansas contains numerous colleges and Universities and is home to the Arkansas Razorbacks. Sports, music and outdoor recreation are presently important parts of Arkansas’ culture. The diversity and the uniqueness of the state make it an ideal place to live or visit. With its numerous attractions, rich history and incredible beauty, Arkansas is truly one of a kind.

Sources

www.arkansas.com

www.arkansasstateparks.com

Arkansas Heritage, Ruth Mitchell, 1986

Arkansas, the New Enchantment of America, Allan Carpenter, 1978

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