Capital: Little Rock
State abbreviation/Postal code: Ark./AR
Governor: Mike Huckabee, R (to Jan. 2007)
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; C onway, 51,999; Rogers, 48,353; Hot Springs, 37,847
Land area: 52,068 sq mi. (134,856 sq km)
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