Arkansas

The Natural State Established 1836, 25th State

Climate

Average Seasonal High and Low Temperatures • Spring: 72/52°F • Summer: 90/70°F • Fall: 73/53°F • Winter: 52/34°F

Geography

The Arkansas River divides the state almost in half (into northern and southern parts) before it flows into the Mississippi River on the state's eastern border. Lowlands and highlands also divide the state. The lowlands are located in the southern and eastern regions of the state. In these areas, flooding from the Mississippi River deposits fertile soil on the land, so most of the farmers live in that region. The highlands include the Ozark Mountains and Ozark Plateau to the north and the Ouachita Mountains to the south. In between is the Arkansas Valley, through which flows the Arkansas River. Half the state is forested, and there are thousands of miles of rivers, streams, and lakes. Many springs are found in the Ozark Plateau.

Resources and Economy

Arkansas has the only U.S. diamond mine. Arkansas trees are used to make lumber, paper products, and furniture. The mountains, national forests, and hot springs attract more than 20 million tourists each year.

Population

2,834,797

Government

Capital:
State Abbreviation: AR
Governor: Mike Beebe (Democrat)
U.S. Senators: 2
Blanche Lincoln (Democrat)
Mark Pryor (Democrat)
U.S. Representatives: 4
    Republicans: 1
    Democrats 3
State Senators: 35
State Representatives: 100
Counties: 75

Fun Facts

Statehood In 1836, Arkansans finally had enough people (60,000) living in the territory to apply for statehood. It became the 25th state later that year. Most Arkansans, one-fourth of whom were slaves, then owned or worked on plantations. These large plantations were in the lowlands; smaller farms were in the hills of central and northern Arkansas. The crops prospered because of the good soil, water, and climate. However, the slaves who worked on the plantations had difficult lives and no freedom. History Little Rock's Central High School was the center of national attention in 1957. The Supreme Court had ruled three years earlier that segregation (keeping blacks apart from whites) was unconstitutional, but Central High refused to let African American students enter. Nine African American students decided to attend the all-white Central High School in spite of segregation. President Dwight D. Eisenhower had to send more than a thousand U.S. troops to protect the nine students. Almost all Arkansas public schools were desegregated by the 1970s. Little Rock Central is now a National Historic Site. Attractions Little Rock Eureka Springs Fayetteville Hot Springs Mountain View North Little Rock Conway Harrison Jonesboro Hot Springs National Park Heber Springs Piney