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Arkansas
Capital:
Little Rock
State abbreviation/Postal code:
Ark./AR
Nickname:
The Natural State
Origin of name:
French interpretation of a Sioux word "acansa,"
meaning "downstream place."
Briefs on Arkansas:
Arkansas, the land of springs certainly springs
fun and excitement in the life of every visitor. The globally
acclaimed Eureka Springs and Hot Springs here are known for their
health enhancing features and relaxation qualities. Along with these
Arkansas presents unparalleled scenic splendor, wonderful historic
towns, vibrant cities, lush green valleys, thick forests, fertile
plains, beautiful Deltas, crystal clear water lakes and rivers
especially America’s First National River, the Buffalo, rolling hills,
extensive mountain wilderness areas, and much more that make it a
destination worthwhile.
 Arkansas spreads in an area of 137, 732 square
kilometers and has an approximate population of 2,673,400 people. The
capital of Arkansas is Little Rock. Deriving its name from a small
rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River titled La
Petite Roche meaning little rock, Little Rock is also the largest city
in the region. It is located in the central Arkansas and is the county
seat of Pulaski County.
Arkansas, the only state of United States of
America where diamonds are naturally found has most of its eastern
border covered with the Mississippi river except in Clay and Greene
counties where the St. Francis River forms the western boundary of the
Missouri Bootheel. The southern border of Arkansas is with Louisiana;
northern border lies with Missouri, astern border with Tennessee and
Mississippi and western border with Texas and Oklahoma.
The history of Arkansas is also as exciting as
the place itself. The region was first explored in 1541 by Hernando de
Soto as he made his way westward from Florida in search of gold. In
1673 the French people came to this state. It was then in 1682 that
the Sieur de la Salle, claimed the territory for France.
In 1686 Arkansas witnessed its first permanent
settlement at the hands of Heni de Tonti, the foremost to permanently
settle in the Arkansas territory at Arkansas Post. It is believed that
Arkansas got its name after the Siouan-speaking people who left their
allied tribes to make a tour of the Mississippi river. These people
were called Ugakhpa or Quapaw.
In 1763 Arkansas went to Spain under the Treaty
of Paris. But in 1800 the Treaty of San Marino Illdefonso brought it
back to France. However the Spanish officials continued holding the
office till 1804 when Americans occupied the Arkansas Post.
In 1812 the statehood of Louisiana was accepted.
As its borders were well defined the Louisiana territory had to be
renamed. Its new name was the Missouri Territory. In 1819, Missouri
also applied for statehood and its appeal was accepted. As a result
the territory had to be renamed once again. The land between Louisiana
and Missouri then came to be known as the Arkansas territory.
In 1821 the capital of Arkansas was moved from
Arkansas Post, on the Mississippi river to Little Rock, on the
Arkansas River. Since that time Little Rock has served as the capital
of Arkansas.
On 15th June 1836 Arkansas ratified
the US Constitution and became the 25th state in the Union.
After the American Civil War, Arkansas witnessed
a period of Reconstruction. In 1874 the Arkansas State Constitution
was passed.
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