Higher Education  

Arkansas has approximately 17 accredited colleges and universities, and 14 community colleges. The largest of Arkansas's institutions of higher learning is the University of Arkansas. Its main campus is in Fayetteville, and branch campuses are located in Little Rock, Pine Bluff, and Monticello. Arkansas College in Batesville, which was founded in 1836, is the state's oldest college. Some of the state's other institutions of higher learning are Arkansas State University, in Jonesboro; Arkansas Tech University, in Russellville; the University of Central Arkansas and Hendrix College, both in Conway; and Southern Arkansas University, in Magnolia. Private schools include John Brown University and Harding University.

Geography

With a population of approximately 3 million, Arkansas covers 137,754 square kilometers in land area. Basically, Arkansas can be divided geographically into two regions: the lowlands and the highlands. The lowlands, in the east and south, consist of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain and the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The highlands, in the north and west, include the Ozark Plateau, the Ouachita Mountains, and the Arkansas River Valley, which lies between them. Major cities are Little Rock (capital), Fort Smith, North Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Jonesboro, and Fayetteville.

Climate

Arkansas's climate is generally warm and humid, with hot summers and mild winters. Temperatures in the southern and eastern lowlands are generally higher than those in the northern and western highlands. In northwest Arkansas, the average July temperature is 26° C and the average January temperature is 4° C. Temperatures in the southeast average 28° C in July and 7° C in January. On the average, the state receives about 124 cm of precipitation per year, mostly in the form of rain. Snowfall is rare in some parts of southern and eastern Arkansas, and in the highland areas it averages only around 15 cm annually.

Cultural Profile

Little Rock has many fine museums, such as the Museum of Science and History and the Decorative Arts Museum. Other museums in the state include the University of Arkansas Museum in Fayetteville, the Old Fort Museum in Fort Smith, the Hampson Museum in Wilson, and the Daisy International Air Gun Museum in Rogers. Several cities and towns support local orchestras and theater groups.

Folk and country music are popular in Arkansas. At the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, traditional Ozark music is performed. In many communities, country music shows are held on a regular basis.

Recreation

Arkansas's forty-four state parks include Toltec Mounds, a prehistoric Indian-mound site; Ozark Folk Center, where Ozark artisans demonstrate their crafts; and Crater of Diamonds, where the public may hunt for diamonds. Hot Springs National Park is a health spa and resort area that features hot mineral-spring waters. Arkansas has more than 200,000 hectares of lakes and around 15,600 km of rivers and streams. About half of the state is covered with forestland. People who enjoy the outdoors will find many opportunities for fishing, hunting, boating, water-skiing, canoeing, rafting, hiking, and camping in Arkansas.

Interesting Facts

Diamonds were discovered in Arkansas in 1906. Bill Clinton, the forty-second president of the United States, was born in Arkansas and served as governor of the state before becoming president. Other famous Arkansans include General Douglas MacArthur (commander of Allied Forces in the Pacific during World War II), James William Fulbright (US senator), Johnny Cash (country singer), Brooks Robinson (baseball player), and Maya Angelou (poet).

 

General Information State Bird: Mockingbird State Flower: Apple blossom State Tree: Pine Tree State Capitol: Little Rock Area: 137,539 sq. km Population: 2,351,000 Elevation: 839m-17m Major Cities: Fort Smith / Little Rock Industry Information Agriculture Industry: Soybeans, Broilers, Rice, Cotton, Beef and Eggs Fishing Industry: None Mining Industry: Petroleum, Bromine and Natural Gas Manufacturing Industry: Food Products, Electric and Electronic Equipment, Paper Products and Chemicals Temperature Range Spring Temperature (range): 11C / 23C (Fort Smith) Summer Temperature (range): 21C /34C (Fort Smith) Fall Temperature (range): 11C / 24C (Fort Smith) Winter Temperature (range): -2C / 11C (Fort Smith)