Arkansas, the 29th largest state in terms of area, and found on the southern region of the United States. It shares borders with six states: Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. Its capital and largest city is Little Rock.

The state’s official nickname is “The Natural State” due to its abundant natural resources. It has lakes, streams, rivers, forests, rich agricultural lands, mountains, valleys, and caves. It is also the only US state where diamonds are mined. Natural and historic sites in Arkansas protected by the National Park System include Arkansas Post National Memorial, Buffalo National River, Fort Smith National Historic Site, Hot Springs National Park, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, and the Pea Ridge National Military Park.

However, Arkansas also has other nicknames. It is called The Toothpick State after the Toothpick, which was a large throw-able knife similar but larger than the Bowie Knife. It is also called The Bowie State as the Bowie knife was made and popularized by James Black, an Arkansan blacksmith. He made the knife for Colonel James Bowie back in 1830.

The state is also known for its extreme weather. It receives sixty days of thunderstorms and flooding is not uncommon. It is also a part of Tornado Alley, an area between the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Mountains where tornadoes are frequent.

Famous people from Arkansas include Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Maya Angelou, Johnny Cash, John Grisham, Mike Huckabee, Douglas MacArthur, Scottie Pippen, Winthrop Rockefeller, Billy Bob Thornton, Sam Walton, Archibald Yell, and Jermain Taylor.