Arkansas (AR) is located in the southern United States and is known for its diverse landscape, which includes mountains, forests, rivers, and hot springs. The state capital is Little Rock. Arkansas’ economy relies heavily on agriculture, with rice and poultry being among the most important commodities. One notable attraction is Crater of Diamonds State Park, where visitors can search for and keep any diamonds they find.
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Table of Contents
Basic Information
Name Arkansas Abbreviation AR Capital Little Rock Largest city Little Rock (Population: 203 842) Current time 9:49 Time zone CST (UTC-6), the state observes daylight saving time CDT (UTC-5) Population 3,011,490 (#33 most populous US state) Area 53,178 mi² (#29 largest US state) Admitted to the Union June 15, 1836 (#25 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Arkansas
The capital city of Arkansas is Little Rock, which was founded on June 1, 1821. The name comes from a rocky outcrop extending from the Arkansas River that once served as an important landmark. Little Rock officially became the state capital on June 15, 1836, when Arkansas joined the Union. It had previously served as the capital of the Arkansas Territory since 1821.
🏙️ Largest City in Arkansas
The largest city in Arkansas is Little Rock, which had a population of 203,842 in 2023. The second-largest city is Fayetteville with a population of 101,680, and Fort Smith is the third-largest with 89,770 residents.
🕒 Time in Arkansas
The current time in Arkansas is 9:49. The entire state is in the Central Standard Time zone (CST, UTC-6), and observes Daylight Saving Time (CDT, UTC-5) from March to November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Arkansas
In 2023, Arkansas had a population of 3,011,490, making it the 33rd most populous state in the USA.
📍 Area of Arkansas
The total area of Arkansas is 53,178 mi², of which 52,035 mi² is land and 1,143 mi² is water. Arkansas ranks as the 29th largest state in the USA.
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Fun Facts About the State of Arkansas
🧩 Which States Border Arkansas
Arkansas shares borders with six U.S. states: to the west is Oklahoma, to the north Missouri, to the northeast Tennessee, to the east Mississippi, to the south Louisiana, and to the southwest Texas.
📅 Arkansas’ Admission to the Union
Arkansas joined the Union on June 15, 1836, becoming the 25th state. It was formed from the original Arkansas Territory.
📛 Arkansas State Nickname
Since the 1970s, Arkansas has been nicknamed “The Natural State”, referring to its state parks, forests, mountains, and other natural beauty that attract tourists. The nickname was officially adopted in 1995 to promote tourism.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Arkansas
The highest mountain in Arkansas is Mount Magazine in the Ouachita Mountains, with a peak elevation of 2,753 ft.
🏞️ Rivers in Arkansas
The longest river in Arkansas is the Mississippi River, which stretches 2,318 mi in length. Other major rivers include the Arkansas River (1,469 mi), Red River (1,361 mi), White River (722 mi), and Ouachita River (548 mi).
🎓 Universities in Arkansas
The largest university in the state is the University of Arkansas, with approximately 28,000 students. It was founded in 1871 in the city of Fayetteville. The second-largest is Arkansas State University with 13,000 students, and the third-largest is Arkansas Tech University, which has just under 11,000 students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Arkansas
Addresses in Arkansas fall within the ZIP code range of 716xx–729xx. For more detailed information, see the article ZIP Codes in the USA, or look up a code for any address on the U.S. Postal Service website.
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Weather in Arkansas
The best time to visit Arkansas is in the fall, when temperatures are mild and nature still offers beautiful scenery.
Spring in Arkansas is variable, with temperatures generally ranging between 55°F and 64°F. Rainfall is frequent, making the landscape lush and green. Throughout the spring, Arkansas has an elevated risk of tornadoes and severe storms.
Summer in Arkansas is hot and humid, with typical temperatures between 77°F and 86°F. Rain continues to be common, often accompanied by thunderstorms. The high humidity can be uncomfortable.
Fall in Arkansas brings cooler temperatures, ranging from 61°F to 68°F. Storms and precipitation decrease, and the landscape turns to vibrant autumn colors, creating ideal conditions for hiking.
Winter in Arkansas is marked by further cooling, though temperatures generally remain above freezing, between 41°F and 50°F. Snowfall is rare and usually very light, while rain is more common, especially in the northern parts of the state.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Arkansas
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What to See in Arkansas
1️⃣ Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs was first designated a federal reservation on April 20, 1832, and later became a national park on March 4, 1921, making it one of the oldest in the entire United States. The park is renowned for its healing thermal springs, which were used by Indigenous peoples long before. Visitors can stay in historic bathhouses offering massages and other treatments.
2️⃣ Thorncrown Chapel
Thorncrown Chapel is a stunning structure built in 1980, nestled in the woods near Eureka Springs. Designed by American architect Euine Fay Jones, the chapel combines wood and glass in a way that harmonizes beautifully with its natural surroundings. Its interior is open to the public.
3️⃣ Crater of Diamonds State Park
Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only publicly accessible site in the world where visitors can search for real diamonds—and keep whatever they find. Located in the southwestern part of the state, the park also offers several hiking trails.
4️⃣ Arkansas Air and Military Museum
Located in Fayetteville, this museum houses an extensive collection of historic aircraft and military artifacts. Visitors can explore planes from World War II and enjoy interactive exhibits about military conflicts.
5️⃣ Ozark–St. Francis National Forest
The Ozark–St. Francis National Forest covers an area of 1,812.18 mi² and offers a wide range of outdoor activities. One of the most popular is the Ozark Highlands Trail, which stretches 218 mi and provides breathtaking views of forests and waterfalls.
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Largest Cities in Arkansas
The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Arkansas as of 2023. The data source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary responsibility is conducting the national census.
City County Population 1 Little Rock Pulaski 203,842 Map of Little Rock 2 Fayetteville Washington 101,680 Map of Fayetteville 3 Fort Smith Sebastian 89,770 Map of Fort Smith 4 Springdale Washington, Benton 88,224 Map of Springdale 5 Jonesboro Craighead 80,650 Map of Jonesboro 6 Rogers Benton 74,035 Map of Rogers 7 Conway Faulkner 69,580 Map of Conway 8 North Little Rock Pulaski 64,531 Map of North Little Rock 9 Bentonville Benton 59,471 Map of Bentonville 10 Pine Bluff Jefferson 39,123 Map of Pine Bluff -
Sports Teams in Arkansas
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
Arkansas does not have a team in the National Hockey League (NHL).
🏈 American Football (NFL)
There is no NFL team based in Arkansas.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
Arkansas does not have a team in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
No team from Arkansas competes in Major League Baseball (MLB).
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
There is no team from Arkansas in Major League Soccer (MLS).
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State Symbols of Arkansas
Arkansas has dozens of official symbols—below are just a few of them.
State Flag of Arkansas
The state flag of Arkansas contains several symbolic elements. The diamond shape represents that Arkansas was the only state where diamonds were mined. The 25 stars signify that Arkansas was the 25th state to join the Union. The three larger stars below the name have multiple meanings; one of them refers to the fact that Arkansas was historically part of France, Spain, and the United States. The single star above the name symbolizes Arkansas’s unity.
Great Seal of the State of Arkansas
The current version of the Arkansas state seal was adopted in 1907. Its central element is an eagle holding a scroll in its beak, an olive branch in one claw, and a bundle of arrows in the other. A prominent feature is the figure of the goddess Liberty with her hand resting on a shield.
State Bird
Since 1929, the state bird of Arkansas has been the northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), which is commonly found throughout the state.
State Flower
One of the symbols of Arkansas is the apple blossom, which has held this status since 1901, even though the crop’s economic significance in the state has steadily declined.
State Gem
The official state gem of Arkansas is the diamond, designated in 1967. Diamond sites are accessible to the public within one of the state parks.
State Tree
Since 1939, the symbol of Arkansas has been the pine tree, although the specific species is not defined. Both shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) are commonly found in the state.
State Mammal
The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) became the official state mammal in 1993. Estimates suggest that about one million white-tailed deer live in Arkansas.
State Insect
The honeybee was designated the official state insect in 1973. Compared to other U.S. states, Arkansas is a significant honey producer.
State Grain
Among the official symbols of Arkansas is its state grain. In 2007, rice was designated as such. Estimates indicate that Arkansas produces about 40% of all rice grown in the United States.
State Folk Dance
Square dance, which includes elements of English and French folk dances, was adopted as one of Arkansas’s state symbols in 1991.
6️⃣ Magic Springs Theme and Water Park
Magic Springs Theme and Water Park offers fun for the whole family, with thrilling roller coasters alongside gentler attractions for younger children. During the warmer months, visitors can cool off in the pools and enjoy the water slides. The park is located near the city of Hot Springs.
7️⃣ Buffalo National River
Buffalo River was designated the first national river in the USA to protect its clean waters and diverse wildlife. Several hiking trails in the surrounding area offer scenic views of waterfalls and caves. The river is also navigable by kayak or raft, and it’s a great destination for fishing enthusiasts.
8️⃣ Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Located in Bentonville, the museum focuses on American art by artists such as Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Founded by Walmart heiress Alice Walton, the architecturally striking museum is open year-round.
9️⃣ Eureka Springs
This historic town on the Missouri border is known for its healing springs, charming streets, art galleries, and Victorian architecture. Eureka Springs is home to several galleries and hosts a variety of culturally rich festivals throughout the year.
🔟 Devil’s Den State Park
Devil’s Den State Park is located in the Ozark Mountains and features one of the most popular hiking trails in Arkansas. Along the way, you’ll encounter rock cliffs, waterfalls, and natural pools perfect for a swim.
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