Some of the things that make the U.S. unique is the fact that it is made up of 50 individual States, all with their own laws, widely varying climates, landscapes, and cultures.
All these factors culminate into several interesting facts about Arkansas, with one of the more notable ones being that the state is the birthplace of two extremely well-known icons – Johnny Cash, and Bill Clinton!
Each state has its own nickname usually drawn from an event associated with its historical past, a notable landmark within the State, a cultural icon, or even the climate. Let’s take a look at the Arkansas nickname.
What is the Arkansas nickname? It is The Natural State.
The Natural State is located in the Midwest region of North America, bordering Louisiana to its South, Texas to its southwest, Oklahoma to its West, Missouri to its North, and Mississippi and Tennessee to its East. Yes, 6 other states border Arkansas, which is unusual!
Since its admission to the union back on June 15, 1836, Arkansas has been a topic of debate and conversation for an abundance of reasons. One of the most common is the pronunciation of the name, Arkansas – which is pronounced AR-ken-saw, not AR Kansas.
This has sparked confusion and debate for many years. Also, many believe that Arkansas geographically does not belong to the Southern region, however, the states Census Bureau has classified it as a Southern state. If you are interested in seeing the Nicknames for states in the US (all 50 of them), including the date each state was entered into the Union, then head over to our page that lists them in alphabetical order.
Arkansas State Nickname
The Arkansas state nickname was first adopted in 1836. The reasons for Arkansas state nickname leaves little to the imagination. Arkansas is famous for being home to beautiful scenic views, clear lakes and streams, and an abundance of wildlife. Arkansas has 52 state parks, three national forests, five national parks, and the nation’s first National River.
Arkansas has, like most other states, multiple nicknames, here is one of its earlier nicknames and the reason for its adoption. “The Bear State”. When the early settlers first started their explorations, they noted the sheer abundance of Bears. Arkansas became renowned for its Louisiana black bear population which is one of 16 black bear species found in the US.
Another Arkansas state nickname is the “Toothpick State”. The Toothpick State originates from a more sadistic Arkansas past-time, referencing the early custom of men carrying sheath or belt knives, daggers or dirks. The Toothpick became a popular and inexpensive sidearm. Eventually, an Arkansas state representative fell victim to the “Toothpick” by another state representative in 1837 which subsequently gave Arkansas a violent reputation.
Arkansas Motto
All states have their own nickname, state bird, flower, and motto – Arkansas is no different. The Arkansas motto is, “Regnat Populus” – this Latin phrase translates to “The People Rule”. This is a great Arkansas motto and reflects perfectly the people and history of this great state, the motto can also be found on the Arkansas state seal.
“The Natural State,” was officially adopted as the Arkansas official nickname by the Eightieth General Assembly of 1995. This nickname replaced the official “Land of Opportunity” nickname following the slogan “Arkansas Is a Natural” that was used to promote tourism and outdoor recreation.
Arkansas is known for its abundant parkland and recreational areas, with terrain encompassing mountains, caves, rivers, and hot springs. Arkansas covers an area of 53,179 square miles and ranks as the 29th largest state by size.
If you are interested in learning about the Arkansas State abbreviation, take a look at our page dedicated to this. The Arkansas postal abbreviation is often confused with other states that have similar letters in them.
