Arkansas, which joined the Union in 1836, was the 25th state to be incorporated. It is located in the southern region of the United States. Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas and also the largest city of the state. Arkansas owes its name to the early French explorers. It is a French pronunciation of Quapaw word meaning land of downriver people.

Agriculture was the main occupation of the people with cotton being the main crop. Today, though agriculture is still an important occupation of the people, the economy depends more on manufacturing industries. Arkansas has a wide range of landscape extending from the Ozark and Ouachita mountain ranges to the eastern lowlands along the Mississippi River.

Tourists enjoy the state's natural beauty, its many recreational facilities and historic sites. Arkansas' mineral and hot spring waters are well-known.

Arkansas is bordered on the North by Missouri; on the East by Missouri, Tennessee, and Mississippi; on the South by Louisiana; on the South West by Texas (with part of the line formed by the Red River), and on the W by Oklahoma. The total boundary length of Arkansas is 1,168 mi (1,880 km). The state's geographic center is in Pulaski County, 12 mi (19 km) NW of Little Rock. Know More...