Arkansas

History: Though Hernando de Soto was among the early European explorers to visit the territory in the mid-16^th century, it was a Frenchman, Henri de Torti, who in 1686 founded the first permanent settlements. In 1803, the entire area was acquired by the U.S. as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Arkansas became the 25^th state on June 15, 1836. It seceded from the U.S. in 1861 and joined the Confederacy; Arkansas rejoined the U.S. in 1868.

Economy: According to sources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmland covers about 36% of the state. Lifestock products comprise close to 63% of the state’s agricultural revenue. Close to 37% of state’s production is crops. So, in terms of money made, Arkansas’ top top five agricultural products are broilers (young chickens), rice, soybeans, cattle and calves, and cotton. Walmart, the worlds #1 retailer, was founded and is headquartered in Arkansas.

Climate: The climate in Arkansas is mainly humid subtropical, with hot and humid summers and mild to cool winters. The climate of Arkansas is mostly influenced by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the southern latitudes, and the Ozark Mountains.

Geography: Arkansas is bordered by 7 different states, and is classified as a southern state. It consists of six main regions: Ozark Mountains, Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas River Valley, Crowley’s Ridge, Mississippi Alluvial Plain, and Gulf Coastal Plain. These regions include many rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

Fun Facts:

Arkansas is the only US state that produces diamonds.
It is known for its beautiful lakes, rivers, and hot springs.
The state musical instrument is the fiddle (violin).
Arkansas ranks number 1 in rice and poultry production.
The name Arkansas comes from the Native American Quapaw word akakaze which translates to mean land of the downriver people.
The state flag has 25 stars on it because Arkansas was the 25th state.

Points of Interest: