Arkansas Geography

United States of America

What is a country? It is a large amount or area of land Here are the names of some countries: –C–Canada –C–China –I–India Can you name other countries?

The USA is a country with 50 states States are areas within a country with their own government. Arkansas is one of those 50 states! –You live in the state of Arkansas! Arkansas

Can you point to the state of Arkansas?

Can you find Arkansas now?

Here it is! AR

What is a county? Many states in the USA are divided into smaller land units called counties. There are 75 counties in Arkansas. Look at the map on the next slide to see if you can find your county!

Arkansas Counties Can you find your county?

Can you find your county now?

Arkansas Counties Did you find your county?

Capital of Arkansas Every state has a capital city. –The state government is located in this city. – Little Rock is our capital city. It is located in the center of the state ( see the star on the map in the next slide.) It is located in Pulaski County. 12

Can you find the star? 13 Little Rock Pulaski County

Review! What is a county? Arkansas is divided into how many counties? In which county do you live? What is our capital city? In what county is the city of Little Rock located? 14

What are Border states? States have neighbors! –They are border states or share a boundary with us. –Arkansas has six neighbor or border states. 15

What are the states next to us? Texas Louisiana Mississippi Tennessee Missouri Oklahoma

Missouri Tennessee Mississippi Oklahoma ARKANSAS Here they are! Louisiana Texas

Missouri is above or north of Arkansas Missouri

Tennessee is to the north- east of Arkansas Our next state is Tennessee

Next comes Mississippi! Mississippi is to the east or right of Arkansas

And then, Louisiana Louisiana is to the south or below Arkansas

Next is Texas! Texas is the large state located Southwest of Arkansas

Oklahoma Is west or left of Arkansas

Can you name our six neighbors and where they are located? Arkansas

What is our neighbor state to the north? Arkansas Arkansas ?

Our neighbor to the north is Missouri! Arkansas Arkansas Missouri

What state borders us to the south? Arkansas Missouri ?

Its Louisiana! Missouri Arkansas Louisiana

Which state borders us on the northeast? Arkansas Louisiana Missouri ?

Did you “see” Tennessee? Arkansas –Tennessee Missouri Louisiana

Which of state is east of us and below Tennessee? Arkansas Arkansas Missouri Missouri Tennessee Louisiana Louisiana ?

Do you see Mississippi? Arkansas Arkansas Missouri Missouri Tennessee Louisiana Louisiana Mississippi

Do you know which state is to the west/left of Arkansas? Missouri Missouri Arkansas Arkansas Tennessee Mississippi Louisiana Louisiana ? ?

Did you do ok? Its Oklahoma! Arkansas Arkansas Missouri Missouri Tennessee Tennessee Mississippi Louisiana Oklahoma!

The last state is our largest neighbor! Arkansas Missouri Tennessee Mississippi Louisiana Oklahoma ?

Did you know the correct answer, Texas! –Ar Arkansas Missouri Tennessee Mississippi Mississippi Louisiana Oklahoma Texas!

Review one more time! Where are our 6 border or neighbor states? Missouri Tennessee Mississippi Louisiana Oklahoma Texas

38 MO Tenn Miss LA Texas OK Here are the answers!

And now! 39

40 MO Tenn Miss LA Texas OK Here are the answers!

Arkansas is divided into six natural regions Ozark Mountains Arkansas River Valley Ouachita Mountains West Gulf Coastal Plain Mississippi Alluvial Plain Crowley’s Ridge

Ozark Mountains The Ozark mountains are in northwestern Arkansas. The mountains are a result of a heavily eroded plateau. There are many lakes, rivers and streams in the region. Hiking trails are available.

The Ozark Mountains

Arkansas River Valley This area was carved by the Arkansas River. The capital city of Little Rock is located in the Arkansas River Valley. The Arkansas River and Lake Dardanelle are located here. The area is between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains.

The Arkansas River

Ouachita Mountains These mountains are located in western Arkansas. Pine trees grow on these mountains. There are five crystal clear lakes in this region. The city of Hot Springs and the crater of diamonds in Murfreesboro is located in this region.

Ouachita Mountains

Gulf Coastal Plain This area was once covered by the ocean. There are a lot of pine trees and farms in this region of the state.

Gulf Coastal Plain

This region has rich soil due to flooding of the Mississippi River. It is mainly a flat area. Forests are also located on the Plain. 50 Mississippi Alluvial Plain

51

Crowley’s Ridge Crowley’s Ridge is located in Eastern Arkansas. The Ridge is 3-12 miles across and reaches a height of up to 300 feet above surrounding lowlands. Crowley’s Ridge is home to small farms, pastures, orchards and gravel quarries.

Crowley’s Ridge The ridge is named for Benjamin Crowley who was one of the first Europeans to live in the area. The ridge goes all the way into Missouri and ends at the city of Helena, Arkansas.

Can you locate the Ozark Mountains?

Did you find the correct location? 55

Where is the Arkansas River Valley? 56

It is here! 57

Who can find the Ouachita Mountains?

Did you say here?

Find the West Gulf Coastal Plain 60

Is this the location? 61

Look for the Mississippi Alluvial Plain 62

Here it is! 63

Where is Crowley’s Ridge? 64

It is here! 65

The six natural regions 66

Here are some of the major Arkansas rivers! White River Arkansas River Ouachita River Red River St. Francis River Mississippi River

Practice finding the rivers

Here they are! White River Arkansas River Ouachita River Red River St. Francis River Mississippi River

Here they are again! What river is this? What river is this?

Way to go!!!!!!

Sources There are many sources about Arkansas geography online! o Secretary of State’s website o DAH Website The Arkansas Natural Resources Council has resources on the geography of Arkansas. It can be accessed through the DAH website ( For more information contact Jane Jones-Shultz atwww.arkansasheritage.com or her at 72