Arkansas

Arkansas is a state in the south-central United States known for its forests, rivers and hot springs, earning it the nickname the Natural State. Its capital and largest city is Little Rock. From the Ozark Mountains to the Mississippi Delta, it offers a diverse and scenic landscape.

The north and west of Arkansas are dominated by the Ozark and Ouachita mountains, while the east and south flatten into the fertile Mississippi Alluvial Plain. The state is rich in rivers, lakes and springs, including the thermal waters of Hot Springs National Park. The climate is humid subtropical.

Arkansas culture reflects Southern and Ozark traditions, with folk music, crafts, outdoor recreation and a love of college sports. Agriculture, especially rice and poultry, shapes rural life, and the state is the home base of the retail giant Walmart.

Inhabited by the Quapaw, Caddo and Osage peoples, Arkansas became the 25th state in 1836. Its economy long depended on cotton and slavery, and Little Rock drew national attention in 1957 when federal troops enforced school desegregation at Central High School.