Arkansas is a state in the southern United States. The name is of French origin and the pronunciation was regulated by law in 1881. As a result, the pronunciation of Arkansas is incorrect and, curiously enough, illegal (although no visitor is likely to be jailed for it). The state is nicknamed The Natural State, which it owes to its magnificent nature. The eastern border is formed mainly by the Mississippi, which separates Arkansas from Tennessee and Mississippi. Arkansas borders Louisiana to the south, Texas to the southwest, Oklahoma to the west, and Missouri to the north. Arkansas is the only place in the US with natural diamond deposits.
Central
The heart of Arkansas encompasses the bustling state
capital of Little Rock and the nearby city of Conway, serving as
a vibrant hub for government, commerce, and culture. This region
is characterized by rolling hills, scenic rivers like the
Arkansas River that bisects the area, and a mix of urban and
natural landscapes. Little Rock, the largest city with a
population of around 200,000 (metro area exceeding 750,000), is
home to major institutions such as the University of Arkansas
for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, and two
Fortune 500 companies. The economy thrives on healthcare,
education, government operations, and a growing tech sector,
with robust GDP growth in recent decades. Attractions include
the Clinton Presidential Library, the lively River Market
District for dining and entertainment, Pinnacle Mountain State
Park for hiking and outdoor recreation, and over 50 parks within
Little Rock alone, offering everything from upscale cuisine to
down-home Southern fare.
Delta
The eastern portion of
Arkansas, bordering the Mississippi River, forms the fertile
Delta region, featuring flat, alluvial plains ideal for
agriculture and including key cities like Jonesboro and West
Memphis. This swampy, low-lying area, part of the Mississippi
Alluvial Plain, is renowned for its rich soils that support
crops such as cotton, rice, soybeans, and grains, with a history
rooted in sharecropping and tenant farming post-Civil War.
Jonesboro, a growing city with about 80,000 residents, anchors
the northeast Delta and hosts Arkansas State University,
contributing to education and healthcare sectors. West Memphis
serves as a transportation gateway near Memphis, Tennessee. The
economy remains agriculture-driven but includes manufacturing
and logistics due to river access. Notable attractions encompass
wildlife refuges like Cache River National Wildlife Refuge for
birdwatching and canoeing, archaeological sites such as Parkin
Archaeological State Park preserving Native American history,
and cultural experiences tied to Delta blues music, plus state
parks like Lake Chicot for fishing and boating.
Ozarks
Encompassing the northwestern and north-central parts of
Arkansas, the Ozarks region is a rugged, forested upland area
that includes dynamic cities like Fayetteville, Bentonville, and
the charming historic town of Eureka Springs, as well as the
flagship University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville. This
plateau features steep Boston Mountains and gentler Springfield
Plateau, with elevations up to around 2,500 feet, covered in
oak-hickory forests and dotted with clear streams and manmade
lakes such as Beaver Lake and Greers Ferry Lake. The economy is
bolstered by tourism, retail (thanks to Walmart's headquarters
in Bentonville), education, and outdoor recreation, with the
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro area being one of the
fastest-growing in the U.S. Attractions abound, including the
Ozark National Forest for hiking and camping, the scenic Buffalo
National River—the first designated national river in the
country—for floating and wildlife viewing, Crystal Bridges
Museum of American Art showcasing world-class collections, and
Eureka Springs' Victorian architecture, underground tours, and
arts festivals, making it a haven for nature lovers and cultural
enthusiasts.
Ouachitas
The west-central section of
Arkansas is dominated by the Ouachita Mountains, a series of
long, folded ridges hosting the state's tallest peak, Mount
Magazine at 2,753 feet, along with the expansive Ouachita
National Forest spanning over 1.8 million acres. This heavily
wooded region, part of the Piney Woods ecosystem with dense
pine, hickory, and oak stands, offers dramatic valleys and clear
streams, ideal for outdoor pursuits. While sparsely populated,
it includes towns like Hot Springs, known for its thermal
waters. The economy focuses on forestry, tourism, and some
mining, with conservation efforts preserving vast tracts for
recreation. Key attractions feature Mount Magazine State Park
for panoramic views, hiking trails, and hang gliding; Hot
Springs National Park with its historic bathhouses and bubbling
springs for spa experiences; numerous manmade lakes like Lake
Ouachita for fishing, boating, and scuba diving; and trails in
the national forest for backpacking, mountain biking, and
wildlife observation, providing a serene escape into nature.
River Valley
Situated in the northwestern part of the
state along the winding Arkansas River, the River Valley region
forms a 40-mile-wide trough that separates the Ozark and
Ouachita Mountains, incorporating cities such as Fort Smith and
Russellville. This varied terrain includes narrow ridges,
flat-topped mesas, and fertile bottomlands, with the river
enabling barge traffic through the McClellan-Kerr Navigation
System connecting to ports as far as Tulsa. Fort Smith, the
second-largest city in Arkansas with about 90,000 residents, has
a rich frontier history and a diverse economy in manufacturing,
healthcare, and military (home to Fort Chaffee). Russellville
hosts Arkansas Tech University and nuclear power facilities. The
area supports agriculture, transportation, and tourism.
Attractions include Lake Dardanelle State Park for fishing and
water sports, the tri-peaks area with Mount Nebo, Petit Jean
Mountain, and Mount Magazine for scenic overlooks and trails,
historic sites like the Fort Smith National Historic Site
commemorating the Old West, and events celebrating the region's
cultural heritage.
Timberlands
The southern reaches of
Arkansas comprise the Timberlands, a vast area of pine forests
and coastal plains that includes cities like El Dorado,
Magnolia, Pine Bluff, Hope, and Texarkana—a unique border city
straddling Arkansas and Texas. Part of the Gulf Coastal Plain,
this region features flat to gently rolling terrain with dense
pine and cypress woods, swamps, and bayous, historically
exploited for timber and later oil. El Dorado boomed with oil
discoveries in the 1920s, while Pine Bluff, with around 40,000
residents, is home to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
and focuses on education and agriculture. The economy revolves
around forestry (lumber and paper products), oil and gas,
chemicals, and farming, with Texarkana serving as a logistics
hub. Attractions highlight natural and historical elements, such
as the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge for hunting and
fishing, Crater of Diamonds State Park near Hope where visitors
can dig for real diamonds, the Arkansas Timberlands' extensive
trails for ATV riding and birding, and cultural sites like the
Delta Rivers Nature Center in Pine Bluff or the Clinton
Birthplace in Hope, offering a blend of outdoor adventure and
Southern history.
Little Rock - Serving as Arkansas's capital and the county seat of
Pulaski County, this vibrant city is a central hub for the state. With a
population of approximately 202,591 as of the 2020 census, it played a
pivotal role in American history, notably during the 1957 desegregation
of Central High School involving the Little Rock Nine. The economy
thrives on healthcare, banking, and transportation, with major employers
like the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Dillard's
department stores. Key attractions include the Clinton Presidential
Center, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, and outdoor spots like the
Arkansas River Trail and Pinnacle Mountain State Park.
Bentonville -
A northwestern community renowned for hosting the global headquarters of
retail giant Walmart. Home to about 54,164 people in 2020, it has roots
in the 1830s as a settlement amid Osage Nation lands and grew through
industries like apples and poultry before Walmart's rise in the 1950s
spurred rapid expansion. The economy is dominated by Walmart and related
vendors, alongside healthcare and education from institutions like
Northwest Arkansas Community College. Notable sites feature the Crystal
Bridges Museum of American Art, the Walmart Museum, and extensive parks
with over 50 miles of trails for biking and outdoor activities.
El
Dorado - A modest-sized community of around 17,755 residents (2020)
situated in Union County, southern Arkansas. Established in 1843, it
boomed in the 1920s due to oil discoveries, becoming a key player in the
energy sector during World War II. Today, its economy revolves around
oil, gas, chemicals, and timber, with headquarters for companies like
Murphy USA and a DelekUS refinery. Highlights include the Murphy Arts
District for entertainment, the South Arkansas Arts Center, and historic
spots like the 1928 Union County Courthouse and Rialto Theater.
Eureka Springs - A charming tourist spot with roughly 2,166 inhabitants
nestled in the northern Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. Founded in the late
1800s around its reputed healing springs, it flourished as a
Victorian-era resort. Tourism fuels the economy, supported by events
like arts festivals and the Great Passion Play. Standout features
encompass Victorian architecture on winding streets, the historic
Crescent Hotel, Thorncrown Chapel, and unique "stairstep" urban layout
without traffic lights.
Fayetteville - The biggest urban center in
northwest Arkansas, featuring the primary campus of the University of
Arkansas. Boasting a 2020 population of 93,949, it was founded in 1828
and saw significant Civil War activity, later pioneering school
integration in 1954. The local economy is bolstered by the university,
healthcare, and ties to nearby corporations like Walmart and Tyson
Foods. Popular draws include the historic Dickson Street district, the
Fayetteville Historic Square with its farmers' market, the Clinton House
Museum, and extensive trail systems like the Razorback Regional
Greenway.
Fort Smith - Arkansas's second-most populous city, with
about 89,142 residents as of 2020. Originating as an 1817 military fort
on the Arkansas River, it was central to the Trail of Tears, the Wild
West era under Judge Isaac Parker, and later military training at Fort
Chaffee. Manufacturing leads the economy, with major players in
healthcare, food processing, and logistics. Attractions encompass the
Fort Smith National Historic Site, the United States Marshals Museum,
historic districts, and events like the Old Fort Days Rodeo and
Riverfront Blues Fest.
Hot Springs - Childhood home of former
President Bill Clinton, primarily celebrated for Hot Springs National
Park and its thermal waters. With a population of 37,930 in 2020, it has
been a spa destination since Native American times, formalized as a
federal reserve in 1832, and once notorious for gambling and gangsters
like Al Capone. Tourism dominates the economy, enhanced by horse racing
at Oaklawn Park and emerging cannabis facilities. Must-see sites include
Bathhouse Row, Garvan Woodland Gardens, the Hot Springs Mountain Tower,
and festivals like the Documentary Film Festival.
Magnolia - A
southern Arkansas city and the seat of Columbia County, with around
11,162 residents per the 2020 census. Founded in 1853 as a cotton hub,
it transformed with oil discoveries in the 1930s, fueling industrial
growth during World War II. The economy focuses on heavy industry like
steel, aluminum, and bromine, plus education from Southern Arkansas
University. Highlights feature the Magnolia Blossom Festival with the
World Championship Steak Cookoff, downtown murals, and the Festival of
Lights holiday display.
Texarkana - An Arkansas border town that
adjoins its namesake counterpart in Texas, creating a unique twin-city
dynamic. It has a population of 29,387 as of 2020 and was established in
1873 at a railroad junction, evolving into a key trading post.
Agriculture and transportation drive the economy, with major employers
including the Red River Army Depot and Christus St. Michael Health Care.
Notable elements include the state-line divide, historic downtown, and
sites like the Augustus M. Garrison House in the Piney Woods region.
Buffalo National Park is a picturesque river in the Newton, Searcy, Marion, and Baxter Counties of Arkansas state. Its length is measured at 150 miles.
Hot Springs National Park is the smallest American national park that protects several historic health spas constructed over a century ago.
Nearby Mountain View, the Blanchard Springs Caverns are a
worthwhile destination. The stalactite caves are among the most
beautiful in America.
A Johnny Cash Museum has opened in
Dyess featuring the renovated home of his childhood.
The
first store of the Wal Mart chain can be visited in Bentonville.
Entry to the museum of the 5 - 10 (cents) store is free and
interesting.
As a city, Hot Springs is also a national park.
The hot springs can be described as a spa.
Eureka Springs is
a tourism-oriented town with some spas. The forests and lakes
offer a wide variety. Almost all of downtown is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places.
Pine Bluff
By plane
The largest airport in the state is the central airport
at Little Rock Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (IATA: LIT) .
Another small airport is Bentonville Municipal Airport wikipedia (IATA:
VBT), located northwest of Bentonville.
Out of state but of
interest for travel may be Memphis Airport (IATA: MEM) for some eastern
parts of the state or Tulsa Airport wikipediacommons (IATA: TUL),
Oklahoma, for the northwest.
By car
interstate
I30: From
Fort Worth via Dallas to Texarkana and Little Rock
I40: From Amarillo
via Oklahoma City to Fort Smith and Little Rock and on to Memphis and
Nashville
See above under Mt. View.
Arkansas is about average for the US when it comes to crime. This
means a certain amount of caution, especially in the cities, and no open
carrying of valuables.
In summer, storms and even tornadoes can
pose a danger. Corresponding safety instructions on site definitely make
sense.
The summers are subtropical, muggy and hot, the winters cool, frost is possible. The best travel times are therefore March to May and September to November for those who do not like 35 °C plus. Tornadoes can also occur in summer and become dangerous.
The Mississippi River formed the eastern boundary of Arkansas over
time, while the St. Francis River formed the western boundaries between
Clay County and Greene County. In many places the Mississippi now
meanders away from its original river bed.
Arkansas is
characterized by mountains, dense forests and fertile plains. The
Northwest is part of the Ozark Plateau and the Boston Mountains; to the
south are the Ouachita Mountains, which are divided by the Arkansas
River. The southern and eastern areas of Arkansas are referred to as the
Lowlands. All mountains there belong to the U.S. Interior Highlands
Region - the only major mountainous region between the Rocky Mountains
in the west and the Appalachian Mountains in the east of the United
States.
The so-called Lowlands are also known by the names of
their regions: Grand Prairie and Mississippi Embayment (see Lower
Mississippi Delta Region). The Arkansas River Delta is a flat landscape
also shaped by the nearby Mississippi River. Both regions mentioned are
fertile agricultural landscapes.
The delta region is divided by
an unusual geological structure, Crowley's Ridge. A narrow band of
smaller hills between 65 and 170 m high divides the plain. These hills
were probably originally an island between the Mississippi and Ohio
Rivers.
Arkansas has a large number of natural caves, such as B.
the Blanchard Springs Caverns, and near Murfreesboro has the only
natural occurrence of diamonds in the USA. The highest point is Mount
Magazine in the north of the state at 839 meters.
Worth seeing
are the Hot Springs National Park and the Blanchard Springs Caverns, a
limestone cave of national importance.
The eastern border of Arkansas is the Mississippi River, which
separates Arkansas from Tennessee and Mississippi. Arkansas borders
Louisiana to the south, Texas and Oklahoma to the west, and Missouri to
the north.
outline
The US state of Arkansas is divided into 75
counties (districts).
Arkansas is characterized by a humid temperate subtropical climate
bounded by the humid continental climate of the northern highlands. Even
though the state does not directly border the Gulf of Mexico, it is
still within its climatic sphere of influence. In general, the climate
is characterized by very hot and humid summers and dry and mild winters.
In Little Rock, for example, average summer temperatures are around 32°C
and winter temperatures are around 10°C. The annual amount of
precipitation is between 1000 and 1500 millimeters with local
deviations, whereby it is somewhat drier in the south than in the north.
Snowfalls are quite common, but not very productive with an average of
13 centimeters.
Despite its subtropical climate, Arkansas is
known for its sometimes extreme weather: Located between the Great
Plains and the Gulf of Mexico, up to 60 thunderstorms are recorded there
every year. Tornadoes do occur in Arkansas as part of Tornado Alley;
some of the strongest tornadoes have also hit the state. However,
Arkansas is far enough from the coast to avoid the direct effects of
Atlantic hurricanes. On the other hand, the heavy rainfall of a
hurricane system and smaller tornadoes occur more frequently.
The first signs of human population in Arkansas date back to 10,000
BC, with remains found on the Ozark Plateau and on the banks of the
White River; Traces of groups related to the Toltecs have also been
located southeast of the city of Little Rock.
The lands of the
current state of Arkansas have been inhabited by the Quapaw, Caddo,
Osage, Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes. The Cherokees who resided in
Arkansas were originally from Mississippi, from where they were expelled
by federal authorities and assigned to reservations in this territory at
the beginning of the 19th century.
The Spanish were the first
Europeans to explore the lands of Arkansas, when Hernando de Soto
arrived in 1541. Already in the 17th century, French explorations began
in the region of the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers. The Jesuit
missionary Jacques Marquette and the fur trader Louis Jolliet
contributed, in 1673, to making Europeans aware of both the geography of
this state and the hostility of the Indians who inhabited it. In 1680,
La Salle explored part of the territory when he sailed down the
Mississippi River on his way to the Gulf Coast of Mexico. These
expeditions culminated in the French claim to the Louisiana Territory in
1682, which included the present-day state of Arkansas. From then on,
French settlements began, as the settlement of the southern area of the
Mississippi Valley began, along the Arkansas and White rivers.
For thirty-seven years Arkansas was under Spanish government since in
1763, after the Seven Years' War, France ceded Louisiana (and therefore
this territory) to Spain. Between 1769 and 1777, Governor Luis de Unzaga
y Amézaga 'le Conciliateur' encouraged the exploration and colonization
of the territories of the Arkansas River, then under the jurisdiction of
the extensive province of Louisiana, since it meant, on the one hand,
the reinforcement of the border region of the Mississippi River against
a possible British attack and, on the other hand, improved connectivity
between the city of San Luis de Illinueses (recently founded in 1767 by
the merchant Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent) with San Antonio de Béjar in
Texas; For this, Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga would have Athanase de
Mezières as commander of the Charles III of Arkansas Post or Arkansas
Post, who would be his agent in affairs with the Caddo tribes (see San
Luis de los Cadodachos) and with the Quapaw, Osage and Tunica
Amerindians, with whom Unzaga would manage to maintain good commercial
and neighborhood relations, to the point that, during the secret help
that Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga provided to the North American colonists
between 1775 and 1777, these tribes served as allies of King Carlos III
and the Bourbon interests in the alliance between France and Spain
(along with some territories of Italy) against England to favor the
birth of the United States.
In 1800 France recovered Louisiana to
sell it three years later to the United States. In 1806, the District of
Arkansas was created as part of the Louisiana Territory. The United
States Congress, which exercised governing power over the dependent
territories, later decided to reorganize the administration of these
territories, after which Arkansas became part of the Missouri Territory.
In 1819, Arkansas finally acquired Territory status, the first step in
beginning negotiations for its admission as a sovereign state into the
Union. The process of acquiring Arkansas statehood depended, however, on
the admission of another state since the Missouri Compromise established
that new stars would only be added to the flag if the balance between
slave states and state states was prevented from being upset. free.
Following the admissions of Maine (free) in 1820 and Missouri (slave) in
1821, no new states were admitted to the Union until June 15, 1836, when
Arkansas was admitted as a slave state, followed by Michigan in 1837 as
a free state. .
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Arkansas joined
the Union, a contradiction that was later corrected when Lincoln tried
to get Arkansas to recruit troops and his representatives decided to
support the Confederacy. After this change of loyalties, several battles
took place in the territory for control of the Mississippi Valley, the
most important in the northwest of the state, at Pea Ridge. In 1863,
Unionists took Little Rock; From then until 1865, Arkansas remained
physically and humanly divided between Confederates and Unionists until
the end of the war, in 1865.
The state's economy grew during the
final decades of the 19th century, thanks to the railroad and the
discovery of bauxite deposits. Later, in the 1920s, the discovery of oil
managed to complement its agrarian economy, based mainly on the
cultivation of rice and soybeans. The economic crisis of the 1930s and
the continuous droughts had a devastating effect on the state, which
nevertheless managed to recover thanks to the Second World War creating
a great demand for its primary products, both mining and agricultural.
With the end of the world war, the process of racial desegregation
began, which was especially conflictive in some southern states: one of
the most momentous moments in the Civil Rights Movement in the United
States occurred in Arkansas, when the President Eisenhower had to send
troops to prevent Arkansas Governor Orval E. Faubus from using the
National Guard to prevent black students from entering legally
desegregated schools, as the Supreme Court had stipulated in 1958.
Arkansas' economy grew after World War II thanks to the work of
financier and later politician Winthrop Rockefeller, who attracted
numerous industries before and after he was elected governor in 1966.
However, the biggest milestone from the economic development in recent
decades was the launch in 1970 of the Arkansas River Development
Program, which has made navigation from this river to the Mississippi
possible.
The most outstanding character in Arkansas in its
entire history has been Bill Clinton, who governed this state for two
terms. Clinton left his position in 1992, upon becoming president of the
United States, a position to which he was re-elected in 1996.
According to data from the United States Census Bureau, the estimated population of Arkansas was 2,949,132 as of July 1, 2012, an increase of 1.1% since the 2010 census. The urban population of this state is estimated at 48.3% (1996), well below the national level (79.9%). 25.8% of Arkansas residents are under the age of 18, and 14.3% have reached the age of 65. The infant mortality rate is 0.93%, well above the United States rate, making it the third state with the highest mortality in the population under one year of age.
Little Rock has been the capital city of Arkansas since it replaced
Arkansas Post as the capital of Arkansas Territory. The state capital
was moved to Hot Springs and later to Washington during the Civil War,
when Union armies threatened the city in 1862 and the state government
did not return to Little Rock until after the war was over. Today, the
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway metropolitan area is the largest in
the state, with a population of 709,910 in 2011.
The
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metropolitan area is the second largest
in Arkansas, growing at a faster rate due to an influx of businesses and
the growth of the University of Arkansas. The state has eight cities
with a population greater than 50,000 (based on the 2010 census).
In terms of race and ethnicity, the state is 80.1% White (74.2%
Non-Hispanic White), 15.6% Black, 0.9% Amerindian and Native American.
Alaskan, 1.3% Asian, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanics or
Latinos of any race make up 6.6% of the population.
In 2011,
39.0% of the population under the age of 1 in Arkansas was from an
ethnic minority.
The first public school opened in Arkansas in 1868. Today,
approximately half a million students are enrolled at the compulsory
education levels (minimum schooling is set at age 15).
Arkansas
has thirty-four institutions of higher learning, ten of which are
public. The first university in Arkansas, the University of the Ozarks,
was founded on Cane Hill (now Clarksville) in 1834. The largest of all,
the University of Arkansas, was founded in 1871 and today has a campus
in Fayetteville, Little Rock, Monticello and Pine Bluff. Other notable
universities are: Arkansas College, founded in 1872 and based in
Batesville; Arkansas State University; Arkansas Baptist College, created
in 1884 in Little Rock; Harding University, in Searcy; Henderson State
University in Arkadelphia and Hendrix College in Conway.
Religion
Arkansas, like most southern states, is part of the Bible Belt and is
predominantly Protestant. The religious affiliations of the inhabitants
are as follows:
Christians: 2,394,222
Protestants: 2,151,770
Catholics: 242,452
No religion: 545,519
Other religions: 90,919
The largest denominations by membership in 2000 were the Southern
Baptist Convention with 665,307; the United Methodist Church with
179,383; the Catholic Church with 115,967; and the American Baptist
Association with 115,916.
The most important activities in Arkansas are industry, commerce,
farming and mining. The sectors that employ the most people are, in this
order, services, commerce and industry. In terms of gross domestic
product (GDP), this state experiences growth of 4.6% per year
(1995-1996). The largest increase in GDP has occurred in the
agricultural sector (9.1%), while the least dynamic sector has been
construction (4.9%).
40% of the land in Arkansas is farm, with a
median size of 117 hectares. A third of the production of these farms is
dedicated to cultivation, mainly rice (the largest producer in the
United States) and cotton (the sixth largest producer in the country),
although they also produce soybeans, wheat and sorghum. Arkansas is one
of the nation's top producers of chickens, turkeys, and eggs, and has a
significant herd of beef cattle. Its fish farms, where mainly barbel and
carp are produced, bring a large income to the state.
Arkansas
has a forest area that covers half of its territory, and is heavily
exploited for lumber production, especially softwoods (it is the tenth
largest producer of lumber in the US).
Its most important mining
resources are natural gas and bromine, in addition to having the only
diamond mine in the United States.
Its most prominent industries
are the processing of food products (especially rice), electronic
equipment, wood treatment, and the production of paper and derivatives.
With a labor force of 1.21 million people, its unemployment level is
low, since Arkansas has an unemployment rate of 4.9% (1998). The median
annual per capita income is $18,053 (1998), and $27,665 per family unit,
some $11,000 below the national median, making it the state with the
lowest median family income in the United States. Despite this, the rate
of the population living below the poverty rate is 14.8%, which places
it in the twelfth state with the highest number of official poor.
Despite these results, the situation has improved over the last decade
since in 1990, Arkansas ranked fourth in the United States, when almost
20% of Arkansans lived below this index of marginality.
The most outstanding museums in Arkansas are the Arkansas Arts Center
(located in a magnificent mansion from before the Civil War), the
Arkansas Territorial Museum and the Old State House State History
Museum, all of them in Little Rock; the University of Arkansas Museum,
in Fayetteville; the Southeast Arkansas Arts and Science Center in Pine
Bluff and the Arkansas State University Museum in Jonesboro.
Historical and cultural attractions include The Mountain City 1890, a
restored town in Bull Shoals. The conservation of this city is part of
the interest in preserving and disseminating the cultural and artistic
manifestations of the communities that inhabited the Ozarks region. In
said City of the Mountain, music and dance exhibitions, workshops and
exhibitions of ceramics, jewelry, basketry and wood carving are
organized. Other attractions in Arkansas include the Fort Smith National
Historic Site, a park and museum that contains an 1817 fort, and the
Arkansas Post National Memorial, which houses the remains of the first
French settlement in the lower Mississippi basin.
The most
important artistic institutions of this state are the Arkansas Symphony
Orchestra, the Arkansas Children's Art Center Theater, the Arkansas
Opera House and the Arkansas Repertory Theater, all of them based in the
capital, Little Rock.
This state has a great journalistic
tradition since the Arkansas Gazette, published since 1819 in Little
Rock, is the oldest newspaper that saw the light west of the Mississippi
River.
Mark Twain wrote several works inspired by Arkansas,
including Life on the Mississippi (1883) and The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn (1884), a book that reflects the dialect used by poor
blacks and whites in this southern part of the United States. .
The state's premier sports team is the Arkansas Razorbacks, who
compete at the collegiate level in the Southeastern Conference. In
American football they have won four Cotton Bowls, one Sugar Bowl and
one Orange Bowl. Meanwhile, the Arkansas State Red Wolves play in the
Sun Belt Conference.
Arkansas hosted a PGA Tour golf tournament
from 1955 to 1963, and the LPGA Tour since 2007. Meanwhile, the Arkansas
RimRockers played in the NBA D-League from 2004 to 2007.
Prominent Arkansas athletes include baseball players Dizzy Dean and Bill
Dickey, basketball player Scottie Pippen, and racing driver Mark Martin.