Capital: Little Rock State abbreviation/Postal code: Ark./AR Governor: Mike Beebe, D (to Jan. 2015) Lieut. Governor: Mark Darr, R (to Jan. 2015) Senators: Mark Pryor, D (to Jan. 2015); John Boozman, R (to Jan. 2017) U.S. Representatives: 4 Historical biographies of Congressional members Secy. of State: Mark Martin, R (to Jan. 2015) Atty. General: Dustin McDaniel, D (to Jan. 2015) Treasurer: Martha A. Shoffner, D (to Jan. 2015) 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 (2010): Little Rock, 193,524; Fort Smith, 86,209; Fayetteville, 73,580; Springdale, 69,797; Jonesboro, 67,263; North Little Rock, 62304; Conway, 58,908; Rogers, 55,964; Pine Bluff, 49,083; Bentonville, 35,301 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 2010 resident population: 2,915,918 2010 resident census population (rank): 2,915,918 (32). Male: 1,431,637; Female: 1,484,281. White: 2,245,229 (77.0%); Black: 449,895 (15.4%); American Indian: 22,248 (0.8%); Asian: 36,102 (1.2%); Other race: 99,571 (3.4%); Two or more races: 57,010 (2.0%); Hispanic/Latino: 186,050 (6.4%). 2010 population 18 and over: 2,204,443; 65 and over: 419,981; median age: 37.4. See additional census data Area codes Tourism office |
