State Abbreviation: AR

Capital: Little Rock

Name Origin: Arkansas’ name came from the Quapaw Indians, whom the French called the “Arkansaw.”

Nickname: The Natural State

Statehood: June 15, 1836 (25th State)

State Motto: Regnat populus (The people rule)

In the mid-16th century, the Spaniard Hernando de Soto was among the early European explorers to venture into the territory that would become Arkansas. However, it was a Frenchman named Henri de Tonti who founded the first permanent white settlement, known as the Arkansas Post, in 1686. The area became part of the United States in 1803 through the Louisiana Purchase.

Initially, the region was part of the Territory of Missouri from 1812. However, as the first substantial wave of settlers arrived, Arkansas became a separate entity in 1819. Over the following decades, the cotton industry flourished, and the Southern plantation system expanded westward into Arkansas. In 1861, Arkansas joined the Confederacy during the Civil War, but from 1863, Union troops occupied the northern part of the state.

Food products serve as Arkansas's largest employing sector, with lumber and wood products following closely behind. The state is renowned for its production of cotton, rice, and soybeans. Additionally, it boasts the country's only active diamond mine, near Murfreesboro, which doubles as a popular tourist attraction.

Arkansas is home to several significant state attractions. Hot Springs National Park and Buffalo National River, situated in the picturesque Ozarks, draw numerous visitors. Blanchard Springs Caverns, the Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock, the William J. Clinton Birthplace in Hope, and the Arkansas Folk Center in Mountain View are also of great interest. A notable addition in 2011 was the Crystal Bridges Museum for American Art, designed by Moshe Safdie, showcasing the art collection of Walmart heiress Alice Walton.

Arizona is steeped in the legends and tales of America's Old West. It was here that renowned Native American chiefs Geronimo and Cochise led their people in resistance against the encroaching frontiersmen. The town of Tombstone, Arizona, gained fame as the site of the most renowned shootout in the West—the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Presently, Arizona boasts one of the largest Native American populations in the United States, with over 14 tribes represented across 20 reservations.

Manufacturing has emerged as Arizona's primary industry, with a focus on electrical, communications, and aeronautical products. The state is a major producer of copper, accounting for over half of the country's output. Agriculture also plays a significant role in the state's economy, with cattle and calves, dairy products, and cotton being key commodities. Notably, in 1973, the completion of the New Cornelia Tailings dam near Ajo marked a remarkable engineering feat.

Tragically, Arizona has faced devastating forest fires in its history. The Rodeo-Chediski Fire, which began on June 18, 2002, and was not brought under control until July 7, became the state's most destructive forest fire at the time. However, on June 14, 2011, the Wallow Fire surpassed the Rodeo-Chediski Fire as the largest fire in Arizona's recorded history. The Rodeo Fire was ignited by a part-time firefighter seeking employment, while the Chediski Fire originated from the signal fire of a stranded motorist. The two fires merged, ultimately consuming over 700 square miles. The Wallow Fire, which scorched 840 square miles, was caused by an unattended campfire started by two cousins.

In 2008, Arizona senator John McCain secured the Republican nomination for the U.S. Presidency but was ultimately defeated by the Democratic ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Arizona boasts a wealth of captivating attractions, including the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, the unique Petrified Forest, the striking Painted Desert, the iconic Hoover Dam, the expansive Lake Mead, the historic Fort Apache, and the reconstructed London Bridge at Lake Havasu City.

In 1968, an extensive oil and gas reservoir near Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Coast was discovered. The Prudhoe Bay reservoir, estimated to contain 10 billion barrels of recoverable oil and 27 trillion cubic feet of gas, is the largest oil field in North America. The Trans-Alaska pipeline, completed in 1977 at a cost of $7.7 billion, stretches 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay to the port of Valdez, facilitating the flow of oil.

Fisheries, wood and wood products, furs, and tourism are other significant industries in Alaska.

Denali National Park and Mendenhall Glacier in the North Tongass National Forest are notable attractions, as is the extensive totem pole collection at Sitka National Historical Park. Katmai National Park encompasses the "Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes," an area dotted with active volcanoes.

The Alaska Native population comprises Eskimos, Native Americans, and Aleuts. Eskimos are the largest group, representing about half of all Alaska Natives. Inupiat and Yupik are the primary Eskimo groups, distinguished by their language and geographical regions. Inupiat reside in the northern and northwestern parts of Alaska, speaking Inupiaq, while Yupik inhabit the southern and southwestern areas, speaking Yupik.

Approximately one-third of Alaska Natives are Native Americans, with major tribes such as the Alaskan Athabaskan located in the central part of the state, and the Tlingit, Tsimshian, and Haida residing in the southeast.

The Aleuts, native to the Aleutian Islands, Kodiak Island, the lower Alaska and Kenai Peninsulas, and Prince William Sound, are both physically and culturally connected to the Eskimos. Aleuts comprise about 15% of the Alaska Native population.

On March 24, 1989, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez struck a reef in Prince William Sound, causing a catastrophic spill of 11 million gallons of crude oil, affecting 1,500 miles of coastline. The extensive cleanup effort lasted over three years.

During the 2008 presidential elections, Sarah Palin, Alaska's first female governor, was selected as Republican candidate John McCain's running mate, becoming the GOP's first female candidate for vice president. However, Palin and McCain were defeated by the Democratic ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

In August 2015, President Barack Obama restored the native Alaskan name "Denali" to Mount McKinley, honoring the local heritage.

• Arkansas is also the only U.S. state that actively mines diamonds.
  
• Rock House Cave in Petit Jean State Park contains well-preserved rock drawings that were created by Native Americans more than 500 years ago.
  
• Famous Arkansans include President William Jefferson Clinton, General Douglas MacArthur, and former U.S. Surgeon General M. Joycelyn Elders.
  
• Why is Arkansas pronounced differently from Kansas? Because Kansas (pronounced KAN-zuhs) is the English pronunciation, and Arkansas (pronounced AHR-kuhn-saw) is the French pronunciation (which is closer to the way Native Americans said it.)

1. Explore the Ozark Mountains: Discover the stunning beauty of the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. Hike scenic trails, go camping, fishing, or boating in the lakes and rivers, and immerse yourself in the picturesque landscapes.
   
2. Visit Hot Springs National Park: Experience the rejuvenating power of natural hot springs in Hot Springs National Park. Take a relaxing bath in the thermal waters, explore the historic bathhouses, and enjoy the serene nature trails in this unique national park.
   
3. Discover the Clinton Presidential Library: Explore the William J. Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock. Learn about the life and presidency of the 42nd President of the United States, view exhibits that showcase American history, and stroll along the scenic riverfront grounds.
   
4. Marvel at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art: Immerse yourself in the world of American art at the Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville. Admire a remarkable collection of artworks spanning centuries, explore the picturesque museum grounds, and enjoy the tranquil nature trails surrounding the museum.
   
5. Experience the Buffalo National River: Embark on an unforgettable adventure along the Buffalo National River, one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the United States. Go canoeing, kayaking, or fishing in its pristine waters, and enjoy camping and hiking in the beautiful surrounding wilderness.