Ellen Serven Koswick

With a combination of Midwestern charm and Southern hospitality, Arkansas is a state that resists stereotypes and labels. Divided by the Arkansas River, the "Natural State" is home to high wooded escarpments in the north and flat plains of rich farmland to the south.

Discover Arkansas

Natural Geography

Arkansas is called the Natural State because of the incredible natural beauty of our state and the diversity of landscapes and weather. The two major natural regions consist of the interior highlands in the northwestern third of the state and the flat coastal plains in the rest of the state. The highlands include the wooded rises and numerous caves of the Ozark Mountains, the narrow ridges of the Ouachita Mountains and the deep folds of the Arkansas River Valley. Here you will find the thriving cities of Fayetteville, Rogers, and Fort Smih.

The coastal plain varies from pasture and prairie in the southwest to rich farmland. Often called the Delta nearing the Mississippi, you will find many old and charming towns in this area.

Cities

Little Rock, located in the center of Arkansas, is the state capital and the commercial center. On the banks of the Arkansas river along the western border with Oklahoma, Fort Smith is an industrial center with a strong Western heritage. Fayetteville, in the northwestern corner of the state, is an important agricultural distribution center as well as home to the University of Arkansas. The city of Hot Springs in the stunning Ouachita Mountains is a popular resort and spa destination.

Economy

Once almost entirely dependent on agriculture, Arkansas underwent a very rapid coordinated industrialization in the 1950’s. By the end of the decade, manufacturing had outpaced farming as the chief source of income for the state. Foremost among the many corporations with a strong presence in Arkansas is Wal-Mart, whose international headquarters are located in Bentonville. The town is also home to a Visitors Center situated in Sam Walton’s original variety store.

Culture

Arkansas offers a thriving arts and entertainment scene to compete with the spectacular outdoor scenery. Little Rock boasts a burgeoning nightlife, particularly in the River Market District that is filled with restaurants, nightclubs, museums and performing arts venues.