Arkansas

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State of Arkansas
Flag of Arkansas State seal of Arkansas
Flag of Arkansas Seal of Arkansas
Nickname(s): The Natural State (current),
The Land of Opportunity (former)
Motto(s): Regnat Populus (The People Rule)
Map of the United States with Arkansas highlighted
Official language(s) English
Capital Little Rock
Largest city Little Rock
Area  Ranked 29th
 - Total 53,179 sq mi
(137,732 km²)
 - Width 239 miles (385 km)
 - Length 261 miles (420 km)
 - % water 2.09
 - Latitude 33°N to 36°30'N
 - Longitude 89°41'W to 94°42'W
Population  Ranked 32nd
 - Total (2000) 2,673,400
 - Density 51.34/sq mi 
19.82/km² (34th)
Elevation  
 - Highest point Mount Magazine[1]
2,753 ft  (840 m)
 - Mean 650 ft  (198 m)
 - Lowest point Ouachita River[1]
55 ft  (17 m)
Admission to Union  June 15, 1836 (25th)
Governor Mike Beebe (D)
U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln (D)
Mark Pryor (D)
Time zone Central: UTC-6/DST-5
Abbreviations AR Ark. US-AR
Web site www.arkansas.gov

Arkansas, sometimes called the Land of Opportunity or The Natural State, is one of the United States. Its capital and largest city is Little Rock. It has been estimated that around 3 million people live in Arkansas today.

[edit] History

Arkansas became the 25th state to enter the Union in 1836. During the American Civil War, Arkansas was one of the Confederate states, however, it was the second state to be put back in to the U.S. in the Reconstruction.

[edit] Culture

Arkansas is notable for its bauxite mines. Arkansas was also the first U.S. state where diamonds were found. Notable Arkansans include Bill Clinton, who was governor of Arkansas before he became the President of the United States, and Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart.