Arkansas State Bird:
The mockingbird is the official state bird. It was designated in 1929. Of all North American birds, the Mockingbird is by far, the most famed for its vocal imitations. Besides its own rapturous song, the mockingbird's repertoire has been known to include over 40 different sounds including the barking of a dog. Mockingbirds can be fiercely territorial during the mating season as they defend their nests and territories. Watching their behavior can be quite thrilling. The Mockingbird is a very important visitor to your backyard. Not only is it's song enchanting, but they will help to eat many of your nuisance garden insects! |
Arkansas State Flower:
The apple blossom was adopted as the Arkansas State Flower by the General Assembly of 1901. Apple blossoms have pink and white petals and green leaves. At one time Arkansas was a major apple-producing state. The town of Lincoln in Washington County hosts the annual Arkansas Apple Festival. |
Arkansas State Tree:
The pine was adopted as the Arkansas State Tree by the General Assembly of 1939. The loblolly and short-leaf pine are varieties of southern yellow pine found in Arkansas. Both may grow to be 100 feet tall and can be found in the Ouachita National Forest and the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. |
The 25th State:
Arkansas became the 25th state on June 15, 1836. |
First Woman in Senate:
In Nov 1932, Hattie Caraway of Arkansas became the first woman Senator. |
The 29th Largest State:
With a total mass of 137 732 km², Arkansas is the 29th largest state. Arkansas has a horizontal width of 385 km and vertical length of 420 km. The total area of Arkansas that contains water is 2.09%. |
Milk and Honey:
The Arkansas State Beverage is "Milk" and the Arkansas State Insect is the "Honey Bee ". |
Wal-mart:
Sam Walton founded his Wal-Mart stores in Bentonville, Arkansas |
Quartz Crystals:
Mount Ida is known as the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World. |
Go to the Gem:
The Crater of Diamonds State Park is located just outside of Murfreesboro, Arkansas. They allow dedicated prospectors to search for precious gems including diamonds, amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate, and quartz. The diamond is the official state gem. It was designated in 1967. |
Famous Folks from Arkansas:
Former President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton was born in Hope on August 19, 1946.
Composer and musician, Scott Joplin was born in Texarkana, Arkansas.
Singer, songwriter Johnny Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas.
General Douglas MacArthur was born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1880.
Sam Walton, the founder of the Wal-Mart stores did so in Bentonville, Arkansas. |
Arkansas National and State Park Information:
The state boasts 6 national park sites, 2 1/2 million acres of national forests, 7 national scenic byways, 3 state scenic byways, and 50 state parks. |
Arkansas official state mineral:
Bauxite is the official state mineral. It was designated in 1967.
Bauxite is a naturally occurring, heterogeneous material composed primarily of one or more aluminium hydroxide minerals, plus various mixtures of silica, iron oxide, titania, aluminium silicates, and other impurities in minor or trace amounts.
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Deck those Arkansas Halls:
Little River County Courthouse is world famous for it's Christmas lights display. |
The Bullseye:
The geographic center of the state is located in Pulaski, 12 miles northwest of Little Rock.
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A Century old University:
The University of Central Arkansas was founded in Conway in 1907. |
Major Industies in Arkansas:
Agriculture (chickens, soybeans, rice, cotton), paper and wood products (including furniture), electronic equipment, mining (aluminum and diamonds).
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Arkansas' Name Origin:
Origin of the Name Arkansas - Arkansas is from the Quapaw (Sioux) word "acansa," which means "downstream place" or "south wind." |
The Arkansas State Flag:
The official state flag of Arkansas was chosen in a design contest in 1913; the winner was Miss Willie Kavanaugh Hocker of Wabbaseka. The flag's design was finalized in 1926. The diamond shapes in the center represent the diamond gemstone, because Arkansas is the only state in the USA where diamonds have been found. Since Arkansas was the twenty-fifth state to join the Union, there are 25 white stars around the diamond. The three blue stars in the lower part of the center represent Spain, France and the United States, the countries that have ruled Arkansas. The blue star in the upper center represents the Confederacy, of which Arkansas was a member. |
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