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Little Rock, Arkansas

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Little Rock is the capital city of Arkansas.

Little Rock aerial 2024
Little Rock aerial 2024

It sits on the south bank of the Arkansas River. The city is located near the center of the state. To the west, the land moves into the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains.

Pinnacle Mountain 20171118 1632
Pinnacle Mountain 20171118 1632

You can also find Pinnacle Mountain and Lake Maumelle to the northwest. The city is part of Pulaski County. North Little Rock is a separate city just across the river.

Downtown Little Rock
Downtown Little Rock

The city grew because of its location near the water. Long ago, travelers used a stone outcropping as a landmark. This rock marked where the flat Mississippi Delta meets the mountains.

1887 Perspective map of the city of Little Rock, Arkansas
1887 Perspective map of the city of Little Rock, Arkansas

A French explorer named Jean-Baptiste Bénard de la Harpe named it in 1722. The area was once called Arkansas Post. However, that place flooded too often. Leaders eventually chose Little Rock as the capital in 1821. They decided to stay there for a long time.

Little Rock played a major role in American history. In 1957, the city was part of the Civil Rights movement.

Downtown Little Rock, Arkansas by Thomas J. O'Halloran, 1958 (LOC)
Downtown Little Rock, Arkansas by Thomas J. O'Halloran, 1958 (LOC)

Nine Black students, known as the Little Rock Nine, went to Central High School. They wanted to attend the school after it was desegregated. A large crowd of protesters tried to block them. President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent the 101st Airborne Division to help. They protected the students so they could go to school safely. This event drew attention from all over the world.

Many different people live and work in the city today. In 2020, the population was 202,591 people.

Race and ethnicity 2010- Little Rock (5560426642)
Race and ethnicity 2010- Little Rock (5560426642)

The city is a busy center for many types of jobs. People work in banking, retail, and transportation. Healthcare is also a very large industry there. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences helps with research. Major companies like Dillard's have their headquarters in the city. It is a very important place for the American South.

There are many interesting places to visit in Little Rock. You can see the Clinton Presidential Center.

William J. Clinton Presidential Library, Little Rock, Arkansas (exterior view - 2007)
William J. Clinton Presidential Library, Little Rock, Arkansas (exterior view - 2007)

The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is another cultural site. If you like the outdoors, you can use the Arkansas River Trail.

River Rail Streetcar, downtown Little Rock, Arkansas (November 2008)
River Rail Streetcar, downtown Little Rock, Arkansas (November 2008)

People also enjoy visiting Pinnacle Mountain State Park. The weather is often hot and humid in the summer. Winters are usually cool and do not have much snow.

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🖼️ Images & Media (12)
File:1887 Perspective map of the city of Little Rock, Arkansas.jpg
1887 Perspective map of the city of...
File:Downtown Little Rock, Arkansas by Thomas J. O'Halloran, 1958 (LOC).jpg
Downtown Little Rock, Arkansas by Thomas...
File:Little Rock aerial 2024.jpg
Little Rock aerial 2024.jpg
File:Race and ethnicity 2010- Little Rock (5560426642).png
Race and ethnicity 2010- Little Rock...
File:Downtown Little Rock.jpg
Downtown Little Rock.jpg
File:William J. Clinton Presidential Library, Little Rock, Arkansas (exterior view - 2007).jpg
William J. Clinton Presidential Library,...
File:Dickey Stephens Park.jpg
Dickey Stephens Park.jpg
File:Pinnacle Mountain 20171118 1632.jpg
Pinnacle Mountain 20171118 1632.jpg
File:Pulaski County Courthouse, Little Rock, Arkansas.jpg
Pulaski County Courthouse, Little Rock,...
File:AR LR Central High.jpg
AR LR Central High.jpg
File:River Rail Streetcar, downtown Little Rock, Arkansas (November 2008).jpg
River Rail Streetcar, downtown Little...
File:Map of Little Rock Railway and Electric Company c 1907.png
Map of Little Rock Railway and Electric...
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