This central southern state, “the Natural State”, with lush pastures, densely forested mountains, rivers and rugged landscape,has its own oil, gas, manganese and bauxite, and is the only State with diamonds. Soya beans, rice and cotton are grown and poultry reared. The territory of Arkansas extends for more than 53,104 square miles with Missouri to the north, Oklahoma and Texas to the west and the Mississippi River is the boundary to the east between Tennessee and Mississippi. Louisiana lies to the south.

Arkansas became the 25th State of the United States in 1836. Arkansas is rich in culture and art and as a former frontier state still retains an untamed air in its wild scenic beauty.


Bill Clinton's childhood home

The mockingbird is the state symbol. Bill Clinton is the State of Arkansas’s “Most Famous Son” – he was born in Hope on 19th August 1946 and served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993–2001. Wal-Mart is one of the most successful businesses of the State, and continues to base its headquarters here where it originated.

Enjoying a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot summers, the year 2000 saw a record high of 111 degrees Fahrenheit. There are six regions from El Dorado and Timberlands in the south to the rolling hills of Ozark Plateau, Pine Bluff and Hot Springs to Pocahontas and Walnut Ridge in the North. The highest peak is Magazine Mountain at 2,753 ft.


Little Rock High School

Little Rock is the capital, occupying a very picturesque setting on the south bank of the Arkansas River and stretching west to the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. The name Little Rock came from an outcrop of rock that was a landmark for pioneers.

There are numerous museums in Little Rock and an Arts Centre – Arkansas has a Repertory Theatre, Symphony Orchestra and a Ballet company. Wildwood Park for the Arts is open to the public year round. There is a very popular zoo and an arboretum.


Big Dam Bridge

Big Dam Bridge – the Pulaski County Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge – crosses the Arkansas River for 3,465 ft, and is the only bridge designated for pedestrian and cycle use only.

You can travel Downtown in a modern version of an old streetcar, brought into service in 2006.

Bill and Hilary Clinton lived in Little Rock from 1977–79 when he was Attorney General, and then from 1979–81 and 1983–93 when he was Governor of Arkansas. The Little Rock Old State House Museum records many of the memorable events of his career.

The Central High School in 1957 became world news, when the first nine black students enrolled at the school, needed Airborne Division protection in order to enter the school and avoid racist protestors. The school is preserved as a designated historic site and is open to tourists.

Further afield, at Hot Springs (where Bill Clinton spent his childhood) you can sample the spa waters at Buckstaff Bathhouse. Hot Springs Mountain has an observation tower at its summit from which can be seen spectacular views.


Thorncrown Chapel, Eureka Springs

Another former spa town is Eureka Springs. Towering over the town is a giant Christ figure, Christ of the Ozarks. Every year the Great Passion Play is performed at the Sacred Arts Center, as it has been for the past thirty years. The town offers serene gardens to visitors, and the unusual Bible Museum contains bibles in nearly 700 languages.

Getting there

Little Rock National Airport is the main airport. There are also three smaller airports serving the State: Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, Fort Smith Regional Airport and Texarkana Regional Airport.

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