Arkansas, the Natural State, has a population of just three million. Like most of the southern states, Arkansas is very conservative and a bastion of the Republicans.
- Arkansas became the 25th state to join the Union in 1836.
- The capital is Little Rock.
- Arkansas is pronounced “Ah-kin-saw” without an audible S at the end.
Little Rock – Arkansas belongs to the southern states and is strongly influenced by a conservative attitude towards life.
The state economy and urban life are concentrated in the metropolitan area of the capital, Little Rock.
- ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG: Overview of state Arkansas, including major cities and most commonly used abbreviations of Arkansas.
Arkansas: History and Establishment of the State
In the 17th century, what is now Arkansas was part of the French colony of Louisiana. In 1803 it went to the USA with the Louisiana Purchase. 1836 took place the establishment of the state, and inclusion in the Union.
The subtropical climate of the region led to the creation of numerous plantations on which over 100, 000 African slaves grew cotton. In the US Civil War, Arkansas was on the side of the Confederate Southern States from 1861.
In the decades after the Civil War, settlers from Europe, China and the Middle East poured into Arkansas, giving the economy a boost, especially in the fertile Arkansas Delta, the region on the Mississippi River. At the same time, spas like Hot Springs and Eureka Springs stimulated tourism and attracted numerous visitors.
In the first half of the 20th century, racial riots between the white and black populations in Arkansas continued. The inglorious climax was the Elaine Massacre in 1919, in which it is estimated that up to 237 blacks were killed.
Although segregation was officially desegregated in 1954, the first black students from a mixed high school in Little Rock in 1957 could only enter the school building under the protection of soldiers. The “Little Rock Nine” went down in the history of the American civil rights movement.
Arkansas: Geography and Big Cities
The geography of Arkansas is shaped by the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains to the west and the lowlands on the Mississippi River. In the south are the forest areas known as “Arkansas Timberlands”.
The Arkansas River runs through the “Natural State” from the border with Oklahoma in the west to the confluence with the Mississippi in the east. The capital Little Rock lies on it – with almost 200, 000 inhabitants, it is also by far the largest city in Arkansas. It is regarded as the economic and cultural center of the state.
According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, other notable cities are Fort Smith (88, 000 residents) and Fayetteville (87, 000 residents), both of which are located near the Oklahoma border. Hot Springs with its hot thermal springs became one of the first health resorts in the USA in 1832. Numerous Art Nouveau buildings, thermal baths and various attractions make the city the main tourist destination of Arkansas.
Arkansas: Economy and Population
Arkansas is one of the less economically strong states in the USA. About 19% of the population lives below the poverty line. In 2014, Arkansas was considered the cheapest US state to live in. The state’s best- known company is the supermarket group Walmart, based in Bentonville. Important export goods of the state are:
- poultry
- catfish
- cotton
- rice
The forests in the south, known as “Timberlands”, also play an important role in the economy. The region is the fourth largest supplier of wood in the USA.
The population is essentially composed of the following groups:
- 5% whiteness
- 4% blacks
- 4% Hispanic / Latinos
Arkansas is part of the so-called “Bible Belt” in the southern states, which is dominated by conservative evangelical Christians.
Arkansas and the elections
In the late 20th century, Arkansas transformed from a Democratic to a Republican state. Exceptions were the 1992 and 1996 elections, when the population voted with a large majority for Bill Clinton from Arkansas. However, his popularity did not carry over to his wife Hillary, who won only 33. 65% of the vote in 2016. Donald Trump secured a comfortable majority with 60. 57%.
