Home to multinational corporations, including Tyson Foods, Wal-Mart and J.B. Hunt, Arkansas' economy is in a long-running boom. A prosperous economy and beautiful scenery make Arkansas a premier state to reside in.
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Although French explorers claimed the land for France in 1682, a fort built near the Arkansas River became the first permanent European settlement in 1686. It was called the Arkansas Outpost until the early 1700s and was an important link between Canada and Louisiana. France ceded the region to Spain in 1763.
The population did not begin to grow until the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Three ingredients brought in people. First were the slave holding plantation owners. Second was the southern Appalachian families looking for land that most closely resembled what they had left. Third was the spirit of the frontier to those who forged ahead.
During the Civil War, Arkansas gravitated toward the southern viewpoint. When Fort Sumpter was attached, the choice was solidified and Arkansas joined the Confederacy.
The century following the Civil War brought many changes to the state. As population declined in the 1950s, Arkansas made a concerted effort to attract industry. This resulted in both a productivity and a population gain.
The gains in productivity coupled with abundant raw materials and inexpensive power, brought in manufacturers of equipment, electronics, fabricated metals, aviation and aerospace products, tires and shoes. It still has a strong agricultural base. It still ranks first in production in rice and broilers and produces significant amounts of cotton, soybeans, grapes, eggs and turkeys. Woodlands cover more than 17 million acres. The state is the leading producer of oak, hickory, gum and pine.
The statewide sales tax is 4.5 percent with local options to impose additional increments. A 2 percent Tourism Gross Receipts Tax is levied on lodgings statewide and select cities may impose and additional 1 percent tax.
The harnessing of many of the states rivers for water power has produced many lakes. They provide the backdrop for fishing, camping, canoeing, picnicking and boating. The reservoir at Bull Shoals has over 1000 miles of shoreline. A favorite and very famous autumn activity is the duck hunting season. The ducks migrate there due to the abundant rice fields that would have been already harvested. There are several public shooting grounds to take advantage of this seasonal opportunity.
