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:
– Canada
– China
– 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.
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Can you find the star?
Pulaski
County
Little
Rock
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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.
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What are the states next to us?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Texas
Louisiana
Mississippi
Tennessee
Missouri
Oklahoma
Here they are!
Missouri
Tennessee
Oklahoma
ARKANSAS
Mississippi
Texas
Louisiana
Missouri is above or north of Arkansas
Missouri is above or
north of Arkansas
Missouri
Our next state is Tennessee
Tennessee is
to the northeast of
Arkansas
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
Our neighbor to the north is Missouri!
Missouri
Arkansas
What state borders us to the south?
Missouri
Arkansas
?
Its Louisiana!
Missouri
Arkansas
Louisiana
Which state borders us on the northeast?
Missouri
Arkansas
Louisiana
?
Did you “see” Tennessee?
Missouri
Arkansas
Louisiana
– Tennessee
Which of state is east of us and below Tennessee?
Missouri
Tennessee
Arkansas
?
Louisiana
Do you see Mississippi?
Missouri
Arkansas
Tennessee
Mississippi
Louisiana
Do you know which state is to the west/left of
Arkansas?
Missouri
?
Arkansas
Tennessee
Mississippi
Louisiana
Did you do ok? Its Oklahoma!
Missouri
Oklahoma!
Tennessee
Arkansas
Mississippi
Louisiana
The last state is our largest neighbor!
Missouri
Tennessee
Arkansas
Oklahoma
Mississippi
?
Louisiana
Did you know the correct answer,
Texas!
Missouri
Oklahoma
Arkansas
– Ar
Tennessee
Mississippi
Texas!
Louisiana
Review one more time!
Where are our 6
border or neighbor
states?
Missouri
Tennessee
Mississippi
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
Here are the answers!
Tenn
OK
Miss
Texas
LA
38
And now!
39
Here are the answers!
Tenn
OK
Miss
Texas
LA
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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
Mississippi Alluvial 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.
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Mississippi Alluvial Plain
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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!
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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!
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Where is Crowley’s Ridge?
64
It is here!
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The six natural regions
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Here are some of the major Arkansas rivers!
St. Francis River
Practice finding the rivers
Here they are!
St. Francis River
Here they are again!
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
(www.arkansasheritage.com). For more information
contact Jane Jones-Shultz at
501-324-9159 or email her at Jane@arkansasheritage.org.
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