25th U.S. state. Pronounced Ar-kan-saw. Part of the 1803 Louisiania Purchase. Populous areas include Little Rock (capital), Fort Smith, and Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers Metro area. Abbreviation is commonly mistaken for Arizona (AZ).
Contrary to a common misconception, not all Arkansans (or Arkansawyers) are hicks. Natives, residents, and former residents include Billy
Bob Thorton, Johnny Cash,
Daniel Davis (Niles the Butler), John Daly,
Bill Carr, John Grisham, Maya Angelou, Don Tyson, Sam Walton, Glen Campbell, Lefty Frizzell, Al Green, Levon Helm, Tracy Lawrence, Amy Lee, Ne-Yo, Conway Twitty, Hattie Caraway, Bill Clinton,
Daisy Bates, and
Bill Doolin.