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. 2009); 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:

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.

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