ARKANSAS, one of the United States of North America, lying between Lat. 33. and 36. 30. N., and Long. 89. 30. and 94. 30. W. It is bounded as follows:—North by the state of Missouri, east by the Mississippi River, south by Louisiana, west by Texas and the Indian territory. Area 52,198 square miles. Population in 1840, 97,574; and in 1850, 209,639, of whom 46,982 were slaves. The surface of Arkansas is extremely diversified, and the soil of very unequal quality, though a large proportion of it is rich and fertile. The parts bordering on the Mississippi are low, and frequently inundated: the western portion is mountainous, being traversed by the Ozarks, which attain a general altitude of 2000 feet. Its principal rivers, besides the Mississippi, are the Arkansas, the St Francis, the White River, the Ouachita or Washita, and the Red River. The climate, except in the low lands, is generally salubrious. In the north-western parts, however, the winters are severe, with much snow, and piercing north winds.
The mineral wealth of this state is greater than that of any other east of the Rocky Mountains: coal in great variety (including anthracite) and iron are most abundant; lead, zinc, manganese, gypsum, marble, and rock-salt, are plentiful; and silver and gold are found. Agriculture has hitherto been the chief pursuit of the inhabitants, who raise large quantities of cotton, maize, wheat, oats, tobacco, hemp, flax, sugar, &c. In 1850, the cotton crop amounted to 2,599,480 lb.; maize to 8,857,296 bushels; tobacco to 224,164 lb.; butter to 1,854,101 lb. The preparation of staple commodities, and various articles for home consumption, form the chief manufactures.
In 1819, Arkansas, which had previously formed a part of
Arkansas the Missouri territory, became a separate territorial government; and in 1836 it was admitted into the Union as an independent state. The people have the election of the governor, who continues in office for four years; and the legislature is conducted by a senate and a house of representatives. Little Rock is the seat of government. The judiciary consists of a supreme court, with a chief-justice and two associate justices, and six circuit-courts. The judges of the supreme court are chosen by the legislature, and hold office for eight years; those of the circuit-court are elected by the people, and their term of office is limited to four years. The revenue of the state for the two years 1851 and 1852, was $162,658, the expenditure for the same period, $135,040. The public debt in October 1852 amounted to $4,151,370.
Arkansas, though possessing many natural advantages, is far behind the neighbouring states in improvement and general prosperity, and has no direct commerce, but exports its staples through New Orleans. No railways have yet been constructed in this state, though one or two lines have lately been proposed. Education is in a very backward state; the means of instruction being utterly inadequate to the requirements of the population.