Geographical Facts About Arkansas
| Area | 53,182 square miles |
| Land Area | 52,075 square miles |
| Water Area | 1,107 square miles |
| Highest point | Magazine Mountain at 2,753 feet above sea level. |
| Lowest point | Ouachita River at 55 feet above sea level. |
| Highest temperature | 120 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Lowest temperature | -29 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Geographic Center | Pulaski County, 12 miles NW of Little Rock |
General Features :
Arkansas is located in the southern region of the United States. It shares its borders with Missouri in the east, Mississippi and Tennessee in the east, Louisiana in the south, Texas in the southwest, and Oklahoma in the west. It is home to Ozark Plateau and the Ouachita mountains.
It can be divided into five major geographic regions:
- Ozark Plateau : The Ozark Plateau is located in the northwestern and north central part of Arkansas. It is a heavily forested area characterized by rugged hills and deep valleys. The steep hills in this area are also known as the Boston Mountains. This area is home to the largest spring in the country, the Mammoth Spring.
- The Arkansas Valley : Arkansas Valley is located between the Ozark Plateau to the north and the Ouachita Mountains to the south. It has the Arkansas River, the largest river in the state. There are few mountains in this area, including Magazine Mountain, the highest point in Arkansas.
- The Ouachita Mountains : Ouachita Mountains comprises parallel ridges and valleys that run from eastern Oklahoma to central Arkansas. The Ouachita river runs through a section of this area. It is famous for mineral, hot springs and timber resources. It is home to the world-famous Hot Springs, that are located north of Lake Hamilton.
- Mississippi Alluvial Plain : The Mississippi Alluvial Plain is located in the eastern border of Arkansas. It stretches along the Mississippi River and is broken by a narrow strip of hills. These hills form Crowley’s Ridge. It is sometimes referred to as the Delta Region, and is characterized by rich soil carried by the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
- West Gulf Coastal Plain : The West Gulf Coastal Plain is located in the southeastern and central portions of the state. The topography of this region is characterized by pine forests and farmlands. Natural resources found in this area are natural gas, petroleum, and beds of bromine flats. It has the lowest point found in the state, located on the Ouachita River.
Climate of Arkansas :
Arkansas has a humid, subtropical climate. It is known for extreme weather conditions. It has generally hot, humid summers and cold dry winters. Snowfall is common in the northern region. Annual rainfall across the state varies from 40 and 60 inches. The highest temperature (49 degree Centigrade) was recorded on August 10, 1936 and the lowest temperature (-34 degree Centigrade) was recorded on February 13, 1905. Thunderstorm, tornadoes, hail, snow, and ice storms are common in this area. Some of the most destructive tornadoes in American history have stuck in this state.
River :
Mississippi River is the largest river in North America. It rises in western Minnesota and runs across ten American states including Arkansas. Other major rivers in the state are Arkansas River, White River, and St. Francis River.
Mountains :
Mount Magazine is the highest point in Arkansas. Other notable mountains in the state are Signal Hill, Black Fork Mountain, Blue Mountain, and Poteau Mountain.
Lakes :
Major lakes in the state are Lake Ouachita, Millwood Lake, Lake Jack Lee, DeQueen Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, and Beaver Lake.