Historical Note:

Mining its own business . . .

Long before the white man came along, Indians were making use of Arkansas's vast mineral resources. Today, Arkansas mines for oil, gas, coal, diamonds, copper, molybdenum, and aluminum ore (the largest source in the country). The state also grows just about every kind of crop there is in America, including, rice, soybeans, hay, wheat, corn, oats and fruit. With such a riches both above and below ground, its nickname, "Land of Opportunity" can be taken quite literally.

Name Origin: Indian. ( "Southwind People")

Capital: Little Rock

Population: 2,453,000

Area: 53,187 square miles

Statehood: June 15, 1836 (25th)

Nickname: (Two versions: The Land of Opportunity or The Natural State)

Motto: "The people rule"

Famous For: Natural Hot Springs, The Ozarks, Waterfalls, Diamonds, Oil, Aluminum.