Many names of places in our state came from the languages of the explorers who discovered and lived in Arkansas. The Native Americans, Spanish, French and Americans all helped name places in our state. The word "Arkansas" came from the Quapaw Indians, by way of early French explorers. The explorers met a group of Native Americans, known as the Ugakhpah, which means "people who live downstream". These Native Americans later were called the Quapaw, who were also called the Arkansaw. This name came to be used for the land where these Native Americans lived.

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Milk was adopted as the Arkansas State Beverage by the General Assembly of 1985. Dairy farming is an important part of Arkansas agriculture.

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The mockingbird was adopted as the Arkansas State Bird by the General
Assembly of 1929. The mockingbird can imitate the song of many other birds.

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The square dance was adopted as the Arkansas State American Folk Dance by the General Assembly of 1991. Square dancers perform a variety of steps which are usually told to them during the dance by a person known as a square dance caller.

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FLAG COLORS
The area outside of the diamond is red
Diamond outline border is blue
The 25 stars in diamond border are white
The four stars in the center are blue
The word Arkansas is blue
The inside of the diamond is white

Our state flag, designed by Miss Willie K. Hocker of Wabbaseka, Arkansas,
was adopted in 1913. The 25 stars indicate that Arkansas was the 25th state
admitted to the United States. The three large stars in the center stand for
the three nations that have ruled Arkansas: Spain, France and the United
States. Also, Arkansas was the third state formed from the Louisiana
Purchase. The large star above ARKANSAS symbolizes the Confederacy which
Arkansas was a part of from 1861 1865, and the diamond formed by the 25
stars represent Arkansas as the only diamond producing state in the Union.

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The apple blossom was adopted as the Arkansas State Flower by the General Assembly of 1901. Apple blossoms have pink and white petals and green leaves. At one time Arkansas was a major apple producing state. The town of Lincoln in Washington County hosts the annual Arkansas Apple Festival.

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The South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato was adopted as the Arkansas State Fruit and Vegetable by the General Assembly of 1987. The tomato is officially Defined as a fruit but is commonly used as a vegetable. The Pink Tomato Festival is held each year in Bradley County.

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The fiddle was adopted as the Arkansas State Instrument by the General Assembly of 1985. Otherwise known as the violin, the instrument has been commonly associated with Arkansas folk music and culture.

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The white tail deer was adopted as the Arkansas State Mammal by the General Assembly of 1993. The deer raises the white underside of its tail when frightened. Young white tail deer have a white spotted red coat which changes to brownish gray before the end of its first year.

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The quartz crystal was adopted as the Arkansas State Mineral by the General Assembly of 1967. Quartz crystals are mined in the Ouachita Mountains and are used in computers and sold to visitors to our state. Sometimes called "Arkansas diamonds", quartz crystals are not true diamonds.

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Bauxite was adopted as the Arkansas State Rock by the General Assembly of 1967. Bauxite is used to make aluminum which is used to make soft drink cans and aluminum foil. Arkansas is home to the largest bauxite deposits in the United States, located in Saline County.

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The pine was adopted as the Arkansas State Tree by the General Assembly of 1939. The loblolly and shortleaf pine are varieties of southern yellow p ine found in our state. Both varieties may grow to be 100 feet tall and can be found in our two National Forests the Ouachita National Forest and the OzarkSt. Francis National Forest.

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