Outline of Arkansas
Arkansas, pronounced AHR kuhn saw, one of the Southern States of the United States, is a beautiful land of mountains and valleys, thick forests, and fertile plains. The Ozark Plateau and Ouachita Mountains in northern and western Arkansas are known as the Highlands portion of the state. Southern and eastern Arkansas are called the Lowlands.
Millions of tourists visit Arkansas every year. Its sparkling lakes attract many vacationers who enjoy boating and fishing. Arkansas is famous for its spring waters, which many people believe help cure certain ailments. Mammoth Spring is one of the largest springs in the United States. Hot Springs is a world-famous health center. A diamond mine open to the public is near Murfreesboro. Tourists sometimes find valuable diamonds there and are permitted to keep their finds.
Food processing is the leading manufacturing industry in the state. The production of paper and chemical products is also important. The Fort Smith and the Little Rock areas are Arkansas's leading manufacturing centers.
Service industries employ most of the state's workers. Service industries include such activities as education, health care, real estate, and retail trade. Several large store chains are headquartered in the state.
Farming and mining are also important parts of the economy. Arkansas is one of the leading states in raising chickens. It also produces more rice than any other state. Among Arkansas's mineral products, natural gas and petroleum bring in the most income.
Arkansas belonged first to France, then to Spain, and then to France again. The United States acquired the region in 1803. Arkansas was part of the Louisiana Territory until 1812. Then, it belonged to the Missouri Territory until 1819, when the Arkansaw Territory was established. In 1836, Arkansas became the 25th state of the Union.
Arkansas fought on the Confederate side during the American Civil War (1861-1865). In 1864 and 1865, the state had both a Union and a Confederate government. In 1874, a dispute over the governorship erupted into violence, and Arkansas nearly had a civil war of its own.
The name Arkansas comes from an Indian word that means land of downstream people. The state gets its nickname, Land of Opportunity, from its many factories, farms, and mines amid rich natural resources. Because of its natural beauty and abundant resources, Arkansas is also known as The Natural State. Little Rock is the capital and largest city of Arkansas.
