Arkansas General Information Nickname: The Natural State State bird: Mockingbird State flower: Apple Blossom Capital: Little Rock Population: 2,673,400 (2000) Population density: 19.4/sq km Date of admission to the Union: 15th June 1836 2000 total overseas arrivals: Under 50,000 Time: Central (GMT - 6). Daylight Saving Time is observed. The State: Arkansas has a varied landscape of plains, mountains, forests, rivers, cattle farms, industrial centres and oil wells. The main claims to fame of this State are the beauty of its outdoors and that former President Bill Clinton was the Governor in Little Rock before moving to the White House – there are museums and exhibits dedicated to his life. One of Arkansas’ earliest settlements, Little Rock is a thriving place filled with museums, art exhibitions and parks. Attractions include the Decorative Arts Museum, River Market District, the Governor’s Mansion, Historic Arkansas Museum, Arkansas Arts Center and the Museum of Discovery. The best time to visit is on the last evening of Memorial Day weekend when the locals celebrate in style with bands, dancing and a fireworks display. The glorious Ozark Mountains stretch from southern Missouri through northern Arkansas. The village of Mountain View is a musical mecca, home to the Ozark Folk Center and events such as the Arkansas Folk Festival and the State Fiddle Championships. Fishing in the White River is another option, but before casting out, a fishing licence must be obtained from one of the local stores. Excursions can be taken to Buffalo National River, which is a great spot for canoeing, or to the Blanchard Spring Caverns on the south border of the Ozark National Forest. Eureka Springs draws millions of tourists to its Great Passion Play and the Christ of the Ozarks statue. At Hot Springs National Park, visitors can soothe their worries away in a choice of bathhouses, cheer on thoroughbreds or fish and swim at three great lakes. Texarkana lies on the border with Texas; in the Texarkana Historical Museum there is an exhibition devoted to Scott Joplin (the African-Amercian ragtime pianist and composer), a famous former resident of the town. Other state attractions include the Crater of Diamonds State Park, Music Mountain Jamboree and Toltec Mounds State Park. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.