Located in the Southern region of the United States, Arkansas is the 25th state to join the Union (on June 15,1836) with a population of 2,968,949 is today the 32nd most populous state. Formerly known as "The Land of Opportunity" Today Arkansas is known as "The Natural State". State Abbreviation: AR Capital City:Little Rock Largest City:Little Rock Number of Counties: 75 Area: 53,179 square miles Major Rivers: Arkansas River, Mississippi River Major Lakes: Lake Ouachita, Bull Shoals Lake Highest Point: Magazine Mountain - 2,753 feet above sea level State Motto: "Regnat populus" - The people rule State Bird:Mockingbird State Insect:Honeybee State Amphibian: Salamander State Tree: Pine Tree State Flower: Apple blossom State Nut: Pecan State Gemstone: Diamond_