Arkansas Atlas

Arkansas facts and history plus travel and tourism information.

Capital: Little Rock
Abbreviations: AR (postal), Ark.
Area: 53,182 square miles
State Bird: Mockingbird
State Tree: Pine Tree
State Flower: Apple Blossom
State Motto: Regnat Populus - The people rule
Nicknames: The Land of Opportunity, The Natural State

Autumn color - Arkansas Ozarks

Arkansas was inhabited by Osage, Quapaw, and Cherokee Native Americans before the French explored the area and sold the land to America in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Settlers began establishing cotton farms in the 1820s, and Arkansas became the 25th state on June 15, 1836.

Following the Civil War, railroads and oil looked promising until the Great Depression hit and badly affected the state's economy even to the present day. Currently, cotton, lumber, agriculture, and manufacturing are Arkansas' major industries.

Arkansas' unique history awakens interest in this previously Confederate state. During the Civil Rights Movement, Arkansas' capital, Little Rock, found conflict over the issue of racially integrating schools. Years later, Arkansas' governor, Bill Clinton, became the 42nd president of the United States.

The Ozark Mountains are the state's major natural attraction, with their thermal baths at Hot Springs National Park and unique folk traditions.

Arkansas Map

Arkansas Links

1. Arkansas Government - official Arkansas state website.
2. Arkansas Tourism Information - Arkansas travel and tourism.
3. National Parks in Arkansas
4. Arkansas QuickFacts - from the US Census Bureau.
5. 50States.com - Arkansas

Arkansas Resources

• Arkansas Real Estate - real estate information about Arkansas.
• Arkansas Colleges and Universities - higher education institutions in Arkansas.
• Arkansas Libraries - list of libraries in Arkansas.

Arkansas History and Geography