See the full list of the 50 states and their borders here. Rice production reportedly began in Arkansas in 1902 with one acre of rice grown in Lonoke County. [1], 15. Interestingly, a 13-year-old girl from Missouri found a 2.93-carat diamond in Crater of Diamonds State Park. Arkansas has experienced only one major earthquake (the New Madrid earthquake of 1811-1812). Read on to find out 10 of the most interesting facts about Arkansas history. Arkansas is also a leader in the production of cotton, rice, and soybeans. It was covered by the waters of the Gulf of Mexico until about 50 million years ago. About half of Arkansas is covered under forest. Did you know that diamonds are also Arkansas’ state gem? In June of 1836, Arkansas became a state. Little Rock became the capital in 1836. 21. Let's delve into the history of Arkansas and learn how this great state got its name and other fascinating facts! Arkansas City Facts. The state's diverse geography ranges from the mountainous regions of the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, which make up the U.S. Other nicknames in the past have included the Wonder State, Rackensack, the Bear State and the Toothpick State. [1], 10. 1821 - Little Rock becomes the capital. The Gulf Coastal Plain is an area of relatively gently sloping terrain extending across the southern portion of the United States from Texas to Georgia. Mount Magazine at 2,753 feet is the highest point in the state. Little Rock is Arkansas’s state capital. Arkansas Fun Facts. Established near the mouth of the Arkansas River in 1686, Arkansas Post was the first permanent white settlement in the state.. Miller County was formed in 1820 in the Arkansas Territory; it was named in honor General James Miller, Arkansas' first territorial governor and a general during the War of 1812.Miller County was formed although there was considerable uncertainty as to the location of the boundary between the county (and the United States) and the Mexican boundary (Mexico then included Texas). 22. The name Arkansas comes from an Indian word that means down-stream people. It lies in the southeastern region of the United States. 1836 - Arkansas becomes the 25th U.S. state. Arkansas-native Hattie Caraway was the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate in November 1932. In some years, the company became one of the largest poultry and meat processing firm in the world. 12. Rice, soybeans, and wheat are some of the important crops from the region. It is interesting to note here that Walmart employes a staggering 2.3 million associates around the world, out of which 1.5 million are employed in the U.S. 1. Arkansas is known as The Natural State but has not always been referred to as that. All Rights Reserved. The observatory began in 1971 and it was established by P. Clay Sherrod and his brother, Brian Sherrod. alone. Can you locate Arkansas on this printable map of America?Arkansas is home to plenty of natural areas, with a wide range of landscapes to explore. Tyson Foods, Inc., was one of the most important manufacturing firms in Arkansas. 11. However, it is also one of the most generous states. history.com. Pulaski County (382,748) is the most populated county in Arkansas. [6], 4. After it returned to the union, the economic and social life was down in Arkansas because the people relied so much on the plantation and slavery. Arkansas became the 25th state to enter the Union in 1836. The poultry industry is one of the largest private employers in the state. Arkansas is a state located in the Southern region of the United States. During the American Civil War, Arkansas was one of the Confederate states, however, it was the second state to be put back in to the U.S. in the Reconstruction.. Geography Arkansas imports a lot of coal from Wyoming and thus uses it for producing energy to meet the demand of its inhabitants. By Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh Arkansas MC Mocktalk the northern mockingbird shows Barry the bald eagle around Arkansas, known as the Natural State. Arkansas is home to the first piece of land protected by the … The land of the Hot Springs National Park was set aside by the federal government for its use as an area for recreation. [4], 9. It was designated in 1987. See the full list of the 50 states and their borders here. [1], 18. [26], 3. Arkansas’s 10 largest cities (2010.) Arkansas’s most important crop is rice. Come learn about the geography, symbols, history, and unique features of 'The Natural State' in this lesson! Arkansas is the 25th state of the United States. [1,13], 16. Cephas Washburn established Dwight Mission near Russellville as a school for Cherokee youth at … The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in the United States. However, some historical records suggest that rice was grown in some parts of Arkansas prior to the Civil War. The honeybee is the Arkansas state insect. Arkansas is the only US State that produces diamonds. In years past, Arkansas was a large producer of apples. Did you know that Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto was the first European to reach Arkansas in 1541? It is the 33rd most populous state in the United States. The Presidential Clinton Library in Little Rock is a major tourist attraction. The 25 white stars represent Arkansas being the 25. [10], 27. The town quickly grew and soon had the Arkansas Gazette, schools, and churches. Annual Reports Arkansas Fact Sheets Bulletins County Geologic Reports Educational Workshop Series Geologic Field Books Guide Books Industrial Mineral Reports Information Circulars Miscellaneous Publications Open-File Reports Roadside Geology Series State Park Series USGS Grants Water Circulars Water Summaries Facts about Little Rock Arkansas 4: the history of Little Rock. At 40.23 carats, it was named “Uncle Sam.” More than 33,100 diamonds have been found by park visitors since the Crater of Diamonds became an Arkansas state park in 1972. 10,000 BC - The first indigenous people were of the Paleo-Indian culture who lived in caves or were Nomadic Hunters. The name Arkansas is derived from the word acansaw which means downstream place. Arkansas is also the only state in North America where you can find a diamond field. Early efforts to integrate freed slaves largely failed. Get facts and photos about the 25th state. Arkansas First Early Inhabitants Timeline. Brutal Facts About Arkansas’ Elaine Massacre. Arkansas (/ ˈ ɑːr k ən s ɔː /) is a state in the south central United States, home to more than three million people as of 2018. Arkansas is the Natural State indeed. We look forward to seeing you soon. 1861 - Arkansas secedes from the Union and becomes a member of the Confederate States of America. The South Arkansas vine ripe pink tomato is the official state fruit and blossom. Arkansas was part of the Louisiana Purchase between the United States and France. The Caddo, Osage, and Quapaw are the three native tribes that lived in the Arkansas region. [8], 25. Arkansas is actually a large producer of honey and in 2001, was ranked 8. It is situated in the Arkansas River valley.[1]. With the conclusion of the Civil War in 1865, the onslaught of the Reconstruction days, as they were called, commenced and many prominent changes occurred. [26] Arkansas – Quick facts and State symbols The beautiful Apple Blossom has pink and white petals with green leaves. We invite you to come and visit Arkansas and check out the beauty for yourself. 29. If you are interested to know more about the history of Little Rock, you may come to the historic neighborhoods, historic districts and history museums. Before Arkansas was a state, it became a separate territory in 1819. Elevations in the state range from 54 feet above sea level in the far southeast corner to 2,753 feet above at Mount Magazine, the state's highest point. Arkansas is the 33rd most populous and the 29th most extensive of the 50 states of the United States. Willie Kavanaugh Hocker designed the flag with its outer diamond, 25 white stars and 4 blue stars within the diamond. [1], 20. 1868 - Arkansas is readmitted to the Union. The name Arkansas came from the Quapaw Indians, by way of early French explorers. Arkansas has a rich and unique culture unlike that of any other state in the southern region of the United States. The word “Arkansas” is pronounced with a silent “s” at the end. Geographically located north of Louisiana and flanked on the east by the Mississippi River’s west bank, the development of the state of Arkansas spanned three centuries. The design of the Arkansas state flag was actually the result of a contest. 30. History. The Apple Blossom is the Arkansas state flower. This was the first time this was done (way before the concept of a national park existed). The explorers met a group of Indians, known as the Ugakhpah, which means "people who live downstream.". It has over 600,000 acres of lakes. With these facts about Arkansas, let us learn more about its history, geography, people, economy and more. It lies in the southeastern region of the United States. The name Arkansas is derived from the word. Interestingly, it is against state law to mispronounce the word “Arkansas” while in the state. © 2020 TheFactFile.Org. Get our guide to the best of: Before Arkansas was a state, it became a separate territory in 1819. Arkansas is a state in the southeastern region of the United States. This was done to promote tourism in the state.”. The Arkansas state bird is the Mockingbird and has been since 1929. 40. Calhoun County (5,368) is the least populated county in Arkansas. The state is also home to some 300 native species of birds including bald eagles, blue jays, flycatchers and more. In 1973, Act 49 of the state General Assembly thought that the hardworking honeybee represented the people of Arkansas. A major tributary of the Mississippi River, the Arkansas River generally flows to the east and southeast, through the states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.At 1,469 miles long, it is the sixth longest river in the United States and the second-longest tributary in the Mississippi-Missouri system. According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture, the highest temperature ever recorded happened on Aug. 10, 1936, with a whopping 120 degrees in Ozark. Arkansas Historical Quarterly is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal, issued quarterly by the Arkansas Historical Association, that “covers economic, political, and cultural history of Arkansas from pre-history to contemporary issues.” (description from Ulrichsweb) The Little Rock Central High School and Quapaw Quarter are … The state changed its nickname from “Land of Opportunity” to “The Natural State” in 1995. The diamond mine is the only in the world that allows the public to keep what they find. The land rose during periods of tectonic uplift, and water in the Gulf of Mexico retreated to near its present position. 1819 - The Arkansas Territory is established by the U.S. Congress. Before Arkansas was a state, Arkansas was home to only 400 residents and around 60 buildings. Facts about Arkansas 4: the economy today. [7], 23. [12], 28. Did you know that from 1874 to 1967, every Arkansas governor was a member of the Democratic Party? The state attained statehood on June 15, 1836, becoming the 25th state to join the union. The Arkansas state musical instrument is the fiddle. He served two terms as the governor of the state. Culture. The Mockingbird is also the state bird of Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Florida. Here Arsenic and Old Lace we are set in the Ozark Mountains of Eureka Springs. As the end of the Civil War drew near in 1865, many freed slaves left their plantations to join the Union army as it pushed through Georgia. Its total length is 1,450 miles. [5], 24. 5. It was designated in 1985. Arkansas - Location in the US Earliest Residents. Arkansas (AR): Map, Abbreviation, State, History and Facts Arkansas State. Meteorites (the oldest known objects on the planet) weighing a couple of pounds or more fall within Arkansas about every year or two. The state's diverse geography ranges from the mountainous regions of the Ozarks and the Ouachita Mountains, which make up the U.S. The state flower was established back in 1901. Clay. Its name is from the Osage language, of Siouan derivation; it denoted their related kin, the Quapaw people. Arkansas (nicknamed: “the Natural State”, “Land of Opportunity”) has 75 counties. The largest diamond ever discovered in North America was found in Crater of Diamonds State Park in 1924. [10], 26. Arkansas got its name from French settlers in the region. The design for the state flag of Arkansas was chosen by contest in 1913, and honors the state’s diamond mining history by portraying the state’s name in the center of a diamond. If you’ve ever wondered about Arkansas history, there are some pretty interesting facts about how the state of Arkansas came to be. iStock 17. Arkansas is the 33rd most populous and the 29th most extensive of the 50 states of the United States. Arkansas is officially known as The Natural State. The state’s capital is Little Rock. Forty Acres And A Mule? Request your free vacation guide to Eureka Springs. Flickr/Jimmy Emmerson DVM. The state tree was established in 1939 by the General Assembly. Each morning begins with a gourmet breakfast to start your day off on the right foot. Bring history and geography to life with Time4Learning’s interactive online social studies curriculum for grades 2-12.. Geographical Facts About Arkansas. Did you know that the first WalMart was opened in 1962 by Sam Walton in Rogers, Arkansas? The state is known for its beautiful lakes, rivers, and hot springs. The Arkansas River is the longest stream to flow into the Mississippi-Missouri river system. The first Arkansas State Highway Commission was appointed in 1913.[11]. Rice production is a billion dollar industry in Arkansas. It shares its border with six states (Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri.) 12. Read on to find out 10 of the most interesting facts about Arkansas history. Symbolizing the becoming of Arkansas as the 25th state of the union, Arkansas state flag has 25 stars. If you’ll be traveling to the area for the first time, be sure to download our free Vacation Guide before you arrive. The Pine tree is Arkansas’s state tree. Arkansas joined the Confederacy in 1861, but from 1863 the northern part of the state was occupied by Union troops. P. Fur trader Henri de Tonty, the Father of Arkansas, founded the first European Settlement on the Arkansas River. Bill Clinton was the governor of Arkansas before becoming the president of the U.S. The state is the leading producer of rice and provides 46% of the country’s supply. County Population Facts. This event marked an important milestone in the nation’s civil rights movement. Arkansas is home to 4 species of the pine including the Shortleaf pine, Loblolly pine, Longleaf pine, and Slash pine. 39. From how the state got its nickname to how Little Rock became the capital, it all dates back to the early 1800’s. In the early 20th century, ostrich racing was a popular sport at Cockburn’s Ostrich Farm in Hot Springs. Milk is the official state beverage. Louisiana, Mississippi, facts about arkansas history unique features of these communities was their use of bluff shelters for seasonal or short-term... Past have included the Wonder state, history, geography, people, economy more... 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