Arkansas
The Natural State
Climate
Warm and humid, with hot summers and mild winters. Summer highs reach about 93F (34C). The Ozark hills in the north are a little cooler.
Main industries
Raises chickens and grows rice, soybeans, and cotton. It is also home to big companies, including the world's largest store chain, and it mines for diamonds.
Top places for tourists
Hot Springs National Park, with its warm mineral baths; the green Ozark Mountains; and Crater of Diamonds State Park, where visitors can dig for real diamonds.
Places of interest
Crater of Diamonds State Park, the only diamond mine in the world where anyone can dig and keep what they find, and the historic bathhouses of Hot Springs.
A little history
Arkansas became the 25th state in 1836. It grew cotton along its rivers and later became known for its forests, farms, and natural beauty.
Fun fact
Arkansas is the only state where the public can dig for diamonds and keep any they find at Crater of Diamonds State Park.