Capital: Little Rock State abbreviation/Postal code: Ark./AR Governor: Mike Beebe, D (to Jan. 2011) Lieut. Governor: Bill Halter, D (to Jan. 2011) Senators: Mark Pryor, D (to Jan. 2015); Blanche Lambert Lincoln, D (to Jan. 2011) U.S. Representatives: 4 Historical biographies of Congressional members Secy. of State: Charlie Daniels, D (to Jan. 2011) Atty. General: Dustin McDaniel, D (to Jan. 2011) Treasurer: Martha A Shoffner , D (to Jan. 2011) Organized as territory: March 2, 1819 Entered Union (rank): June 15, 1836 (25) Present constitution adopted: 1874 Motto: Regnat populus (The people rule) State symbols: | flower | apple blossom (1901) | | tree | pine (1939) | | bird | mockingbird (1929) | | insect | honeybee (1973) | | song | “Arkansas” (1963) |
Nickname: The Natural State Origin of name: From the Quapaw Indians 10 largest cities (2005 est.): Little Rock, 184,564; Fort Smith, 82,481; Fayetteville, 66,655; Springdale, 60,096; Jonesboro, 59,358; North Little Rock, 58,803; Pine Bluff, 52,693; Conway, 51,999; Rogers, 48,353; Hot Springs, 37,847 Land area: 52,068 sq mi. (134,856 sq km) Geographic center: In Pulaski Co., 12 mi. SW of Little Rock Number of counties: 75 Largest county by population and area: Pulaski, 366,463 (2005); Union, 1,039 sq mi. State parks: 51 Residents: Arkansan 2005 resident population est.: 2,779,154 2000 resident census population (rank): 2,673,400 (33). Male: 1,304,693 (48.8%); Female: 1,368,707 (51.2%). White: 2,138,598 (80.0%); Black: 418,950 (15.7%); American Indian: 17,808 (0.7%); Asian: 20,220 (0.8%); Other race: 40,412 (1.5%); Two or more races: 35,744 (1.3%); Hispanic/Latino: 86,866 (3.2%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 74.6; 65 and over: 14.0; median age: 36.0. See additional census data Area codes Tourism office |
