Arkansas Facts and Trivia

Things Arkansas is famous for:

  • North Little Rock offers one of the nation’s largest municipal parks.
  • On June 15, 1836 Arkansas became the 25th official state of the US
  • A person from Arkansas is called an Arkansan.
  • Famous singer Johnny Cash was born in Kingsland.
  • Mountain View is home to one of the largest producers of handmade dulcimers in the world.
  • The World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest is held annually in Stuttgart.
  • Sam Walton founded his Wal-Mart stores in Bentonville.
  • Mount Ida is known as the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World.
  • Pine Bluff is known as the world center of archery bow production

Fun Facts about Arkansas State’s Geography

  • Elevations in the state range from 54 feet above sea level in the far southeast corner to 2,753 feet above at Mount Magazine, the state’s highest point.
  • Arkansas map outline
  • Arkansas contains over 600,000 acres of lakes and 9,700 miles of streams and rivers.
  • City Guide: Visit Arkansas City Guide for a look at geography, local history, architecture, and culture.
  • The geographic center of the state is located in Pulaski, 12 miles northwest of Little Rock.
  • The city of Fairfield Bay sits on the north shore of Greers Ferry Lake, a 40,000 acre mountain lake of sparkling waters in central Arkansas.
  • The average temperature in July is 81.4 degrees; January it is 39.5; and the annual average is 61.7 degrees. The average rainfall is 48.52 inches and the average snowfall is 5.2 inches.

Arkansas State Symbols Trivia

  • Loblolly Pine is the official state tree of Arkansas
  • The official songs of the state of Arkansas are called ‘Arkansas and ‘Oh Arkansas‘.
  • The official state motto of Arkansas is ‘Regnat populus’ which translates to ‘The people rule’
  • From 1836 to 1907 the Seal of Arkansas kept changing; the present form was approved in 1907
  • The state flag of Arkansas was officially adopted in 1913
  • The apple blossom is the official state flower. It was designated in 1901.
  • The mockingbird is the official state bird. It was designated in 1929.
  • The quartz crystal is the official state rock. It was designated in 1967.
  • Officially nicknamed “The Natural State,” Arkansas is known throughout the country for its natural beauty
  • The honeybee is the official state insect. It was officially designated in 1973.

Historical Facts about the State of Arkansas

  • The community of Mountain View is called the Folk Capital of America. The little town preserves the pioneer way of life and puts it on display for visitors at the Ozark Folk Center State Park from March through October.
  • AR is the Two-letter or Postal Abbreviation and Ark. is the Traditional or Standard Abbreviation for the State of Arkansas.
  • The road to the White House for President Bill Clinton began in Hope, then led to Hot Springs, Fayetteville, and Little Rock.
  • The state contains six national park sites, two-and-a half million acres of national forests, seven national scenic byways, three state scenic byways, and 50 state parks.
  • Find out the interesting facts about the famous people born in Arkansas
  • One of America’s finest restoration projects, the Quapaw Quarter features some of Little Rock’s oldest structures including Victorian and antebellum homes, churches, MacArthur Park, and the Old Arsenal.
  • Since the 1830s the area now known as Hot Springs National Park has bathed notables as diverse as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Babe Ruth, and Al Capone. The park is entirely surrounded by the city of Hot Springs, the boyhood home of President Bill Clinton.
  • The Arkansas state quarter, designed by Dortha Scott of Mount Ida was issued in October 2003.
  • Located just outside of Murfreesboro, Crater of Diamonds State Park allows dedicated prospectors to search for precious gems including diamonds, amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate, and quartz.
  • Clark Bluff overlooking the St. Francis River contains chalk to supply the nation for years.
  • The Magnet Cove region claims to contain 102 varieties of minerals..
  • Camden was the site of the Fort Lookout Skirmish and the Battle of Poison Springs
  • Bauxite is the official state mineral. It was designated in 1967.
  • Alma claims to be the Spinach Capital of the World.
  • Little River County Courthouse is world famous for it’s Christmas lights display.
  • General Douglas MacArthur, soldier and statesman, was born in Little Rock in 1880.
  • Established near the mouth of the Arkansas River in 1686, Arkansas Post was the first permanent white settlement in the state.
  • The University of Central Arkansas was founded in Conway in 1907.
  • Scott Joplin, popular musician and composer, was born in Texarkana.
  • The diamond is the official state gem. It was designated in 1967.
  • Arkansas is officially known as The Natural State.
  • The Arkansas River is the longest stream to flow into the Mississippi-Missouri river system. Its total length is 1,450 miles.
  • The South Arkansas vine ripe pink tomato is the official state fruit and blossom. It was designated in 1987.
  • Milk is the official state beverage. It was designated in 1985.
  • The largest freestanding rock formation located in Eureka Springs has a base circumference of about 10 inches and the top measures almost 10 feet across.
  • Ouachita National Forest reigns as the oldest national forest in the South.
  • The lowest point in the state occurs along the Ouachita River.
  • Origin of state’s name: French interpretation of a Sioux word acansa, meaning downstream place.
  • In 1783 the Colbert Incident occurred at Arkansas Post. It was the only Revolutionary War skirmish in the state.
  • The Buffalo River is one of the few remaining unpolluted, free-flowing rivers in the lower 48 states.
  • The fiddle is the official state instrument. It was designated in 1985.
  • 47 hot springs flow from the southwestern slope of Hot Springs Mountain, at an average temperature of 143 F.
  • The Ozark National Forest covers more than one million acres.