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ARArkansas Map
Arkansas on the US map
Arkansas sits in the South region of the United States — specifically the upland south subregion as defined by the US Census Bureau. With an area ranking of #29 of 50, Arkansas is mid-sized for the United States. The map above highlights Arkansas in gold and color-codes the 49 other states by region.
Whether you're a student studying US geography, a traveler planning a road trip, a teacher building a lesson plan, or simply curious, the goal of this page is to give you a complete picture of where Arkansas is and what surrounds it. Click any other state on the map above to navigate to its dedicated page.
Capital and largest city
The capital of Arkansas is Little Rock — which is also the largest city in the state. About 17 of the 50 US state capitals also hold the title of largest city; Arkansas is one of them.
The historical reason for these mismatches dates to the late 18th and 19th centuries. When state founders chose capitals, they often deliberately picked smaller, more centrally located towns to avoid concentrating political and commercial power in the same place. They worried that a capital in a major port or commercial city would be too vulnerable to mob influence (a real concern at the time) and would skew political decisions toward commercial interests.
Borders and neighbors
Arkansas shares land borders with 6 other US states: Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma. Each link goes to that state's dedicated page where you can see its own map, history, and facts.
Geographic features at a glance
- Total area rank: #29 of 50
- Population: 1 to 5 million
- Coastline: landlocked (no ocean access)
- Mountain ranges: no major mountain ranges
- Time zone: Central
- Region: South — upland south subregion
- Mississippi River: bordered or crossed by
Major highways and transportation
Arkansas is connected to the rest of the country by the federal Interstate Highway System (planned by President Eisenhower in the 1950s). Major airports serve Little Rock, with regional connections to the rest of the state. Amtrak rail service connects parts of Arkansas to the national passenger rail network, though geographic isolation and population density vary.
Arkansas notable firsts
- Birthplace of one or more US presidents
🌟 Arkansas trivia
- Walmart was founded in Bentonville, Arkansas in 1962. The company is still HQ'd there.
- The state is home to the only active diamond mine in the United States open to the public — you keep what you find.
- Bill Clinton served as governor here for 11 years before becoming the 42nd president.
- The phrase "Hot Springs" on the map is literal — Hot Springs National Park has 47 thermal springs feeding the historic bathhouse row.
Arkansas vs similar states
How does Arkansas compare with 3 other states in the same region and size category?
| State | Capital | Pop | Area rank | Admitted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | Little Rock | 1 to 5 million | #29 | 1836 |
| Alabama | Montgomery | 1 to 5 million | #30 | 1819 |
| Florida | Tallahassee | over 10 million | #22 | 1845 |
| Georgia | Atlanta | over 10 million | #24 | 1788 |
Bordering states (6)
Arkansas shares borders with 6 other US states, listed alphabetically below. Each link goes to the dedicated state page.
Practice US geography daily — free
Statedoku is a 3×3 daily geography puzzle. Arkansas appears as an answer or constraint clue on most days that match its region, borders, time zone, or quirks. Five minutes a day.
Play today's puzzle →Similar states to Arkansas
If this page interested you, you may also want to explore states with similar geography, history, or culture. These states share Arkansas's region (South) and similar size category: