Arkansas

The Natural State

Arkansas earned its nickname, The Natural State, through a landscape filled with mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, caves, fertile farmland, and natural springs. Indigenous peoples lived throughout the region long before European settlement, and the area's rivers became important transportation and trading routes. Arkansas became the 25th state in 1836, and agriculture played a major role in its early economy, particularly cotton, rice, timber, and livestock. The Mississippi Delta shaped eastern Arkansas, while the Ozark and Ouachita mountains created a very different landscape across the north and west. Little Rock developed as the state capital and a center of business and culture, while communities such as Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Hot Springs, and Jonesboro developed their own distinctive identities. Hot Springs became famous for its naturally heated waters, and northwest Arkansas later experienced significant growth through retail, transportation, manufacturing, education, and business development. Arkansas is also closely connected to American folk, blues, country, and gospel traditions. From the Buffalo National River and Ozark Mountains to farmland stretching toward the Mississippi River, Arkansas combines outdoor beauty with small towns, growing cities, family traditions, and generations of people who have made their lives from the state's abundant natural resources.

I've been there.
I know that place.
Arkansas is part of my story.

ARKANSAS
The Natural StateExplore the places. Learn their stories. Remember the journey.

MILEAMERICA
Wear the Journey.