The 6 Geographic Regions of Arkansas The Highlands 1. The Ozarks 2. The Arkansas River Valley 3. The Ouachita Mountains

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1 The 6 Geographic Regions of Arkansas The Highlands 1. The Ozarks 2. The Arkansas River Valley 3. The Ouachita Mountains The Lowlands 4. The Coastal Plain 5. The Mississippi Delta (Alluvial Plain) 6. Crowley s Ridge The Ozark Mountain Region (NW AR) This regions has thick forests of hickory and oak trees. Also has walnut trees. The steep limestone mountains are mostly plateaus. These have been worn down by wind and water erosion. The soil is poor for large scale farming and is very rocky. : Trees & plenty of land for poultry and cattle Major cities include Bentonville, Fayetteville, Harrison, Mountain Home and Batesville. The History of the region dates back to the early bluff dwelling Indians. The earliest American settlers came during the early 1800 s and were subsistence farmers who lived off the land. 100 years ago this was one of the least populated areas of Arkansas. The Ozarks for many years was one of the poorer areas of the State. Improved transportation has helped the Ozarks grow and prosper in resent years. Major Economic activities include: Wal-Mart Tyson (Poultry Farming) Transportation (JB Hunt) Cattle Farming Tourism Ozark Farming includes: Beef and Dairy Farming Chicken and Turkey Farms The growing of Hay.

2 The Arkansas River Valley Region (Between Ozarks & Ouachita) The Arkansas River helped to create the Arkansas River Valley. The soil is good near the Arkansas River. It is rocky in most other places. Today the area is still covered with large forests of Deciduous & Coniferous trees. The River Valley has mesas -landforms with steep sides and flat tops The tallest mountains in Arkansas are located in the River Valley. Major Cities include: Little Rock: the states capital. Fort Smith Conway Russellville Trees, coal, natural gas, good soil near AR river Osage Indians used to hunt in the River Valley. Early American settlers built farms along the Arkansas River. Economic Activities The Arkansas River was used for transportation. Today farmers still grow soy beans, corn and raise a variety of livestock. Many Industries have settled in the River Valley. Tourism is also popular in the region. Petit Jean Mountain is the States first State Park is located in the River Valley. The Ouachita Mountain Region (South of AR River) Made up of folded mountains that run in an east to west direction. Bauxite & Thermal Springs The forests contain hardwood trees such as oak and hickory(natural vegetation). There is also an abundance of pine trees in the Ouachita s. Soil in the mountain valleys can be used for farming. Hot Springs Mena Benton The Ouachita Mountains are Folded Mountains. They are very similar and were created about the same time as the Appalachian Mountains Some of the earliest farms before the Civil War. Some farmers had slaves. Today farmers still grow soybeans, cotton, corn and raise cattle, horses and chickens. The Timber industry is an important part of the economy. Large Tourism: Hot Springs for its natural thermal springs and Oaklawn Horse Racing track.

3 Gulf Coastal Plain (SW AR) At one time this area was covered by the Gulf of Mexico. Because of this the soil is somewhat sandy. Vegetation: Large Pine Forests still cover much of this region. Also beech & oak trees. The landscape has rolling hills and many sand and silt deposits. The soil has a large salt content to it. Many rivers and streams. Pine Trees Arkansas State Tree. They grow well in the salty soil of the Coastal Plain. Major Towns: El Dorado Arkadelphia Texarkana Hope Camden Monticello Diamonds were discovered in Murfreesboro around The Crater of Diamonds State Park is located in Murfreesboro and was created in the early 1970 s. Pine trees, oil, natural gas, bauxite Earliest Residents: Caddo Indians. French Settlers farmed the areas and had some slaves Oil Boom of the early 1900 s brought people to the Coastal Plain. The timber industry also brought early settlers to the area. Economy: Center of our state s lumber industry Paper industry Oil (Murphy Oil) Natural gas Agriculture

4 The Delta (Mississippi Alluvial Plain) (Located in Eastern AR, borders Mississippi River) Land is flat, well-watered, & fertile with an average depth of top soil is 1200 feet. Great Soil. Very rich in nutrients and deep. Vegetation: Cypress, Oak and Hickory trees are in the Delta. Most agriculturally productive soil in country. Well suited for Large Agricultural Farming. Pine Bluff Lonoke Stuttgart Blytheville West Memphis The Quapaw Indians were the first people to live in the Delta. The French established a trading Post and called it Arkansas Post. The good soil brought many people to farm the land. Large farms with slaves appeared before the Civil War. This area was where the original white settlers came in the early 1800 s because of the good soil. Arkansas Post Established by the French in the late 1600 s. Would become the first Capital of The Arkansas Territory. Economic Activities: One of the largest Rice growing areas in the country. They also grow large amounts of cotton, corn, wheat, hay and soybeans. Cattle, poultry and hogs are raised too. Many businesses that support Agriculture. Prime Duck hunting land brings in tourism.

5 Crowley s Ridge (North Central part of the Delta in NE AR) Formed by large rivers diverted & leaving a long narrow ridge about 150 miles long & 5 miles wide. (Mississippi and Ohio Rivers) Covered with Loess (Wind deposited soil) The Ridge has more trees on it than the surrounding Delta. * Most of Crowley s Ridge is no more than 200 feet above the surrounding Delta land. Jonesboro Paragould Helena Forrest City Wynne Piggot Arkansas State University is located in Jonesboro Arkansas. Early settlers liked the Ridge to build their homes. * Cooler breezes * Fewer mosquitoes To escape flooding of Delta First settlers used the land left by the Indians. Named for Benjamin Crowley and early settler (only region named for a person) Has productive forests for timber. Tourism: * St. Francis National Forest Crowley s Ridge State Park and 3 other state parks Gravel Mining is also an economic activity on Crowley s Ridge.