Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas should not be confused with Littlerock, California.

Little Rock is the capital and largest city in the U.S. state of Arkansas. It is located in central Arkansas and is the county seat of Pulaski County. Little Rock derives its name from a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River called La Pétite Roche (the "little rock"). The "little rock" was used by early river traffic as a landmark and became a well-known river crossing.

Geography

Little Rock is located at 34°44'10" North, 92°19'52" West (34.736009, -92.331122)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 302.5 km² (116.8 mi²). 301.0 km² (116.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.6 km² (0.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.52% water.

Little Rock is located on the south bank of the Arkansas River in Central Arkansas. Fourche Creek and Rock Creek run through the city and flow into the river. The western part of the city is located in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains. Just northwest of the city limits is Pinnacle Mountain and Lake Maumelle, which provides Little Rock's drinking water. The city of North Little Rock is located just across the river from Little Rock.

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there are 183,133 people, 77,352 households, and 46,488 families residing in the city. The population density is 608.5/km² (1,576.0/mi²). There are 84,793 housing units at an average density of 281.7/km² (729.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 55.07% White, 40.41% African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.66% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 2.67% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 77,352 households, out of which 28.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% are married couples living together, 16.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% are non-families. 33.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.30 and the average family size is 2.98.

In the city the population is spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $37,572, and the median income for a family is $47,446. Males have a median income of $35,689 versus $26,802 for females. The per capita income for the city is $23,209. 14.3% of the population is below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.9% of those under the age of 18 and 9.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Metropolitan Statistical Area

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Downtown Little Rock on Christmas, 2004.

As of the 2000 census, the Little Rock-North Little Rock MSA had a total population of 710,518 including the following counties: Pulaski, Faulkner, Grant, Lonoke, Perry, and Saline. The largest cities include North Little Rock, Conway, Jacksonville, Benton, Sherwood, Cabot, Maumelle, Hot Springs and Bryant.

The Combined Statistical Area of Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff had a population of 785,024 as of the 2000 census.

History

• 1722 - French explorer, Bernard de la Harpe, landed near a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas River which he reputedly named La Petite Roche (the little rock). La Harpe built a trading post near the little rock. The Quapaw Indians resided nearby.
• 1812 - William Lewis, a fur trapper, built a home near the little rock.
• 1820 - Little Rock is surveyed.
• 1821 - Little Rock became the capital of the Arkansas Territory formed in 1819.
• 1831 - Little Rock is incorporated as a city.
• 1836 - Arkansas became the 25th state, and Little Rock became the capital.
• 1861 - Arkansas joins the Confederacy.
• 1863 - Union forces occupy Little Rock.
• 1874 - The Brooks-Baxter War takes place in Little Rock.
• 1911 - The State Capitol building is completed. It is the third building constructed to house the state government. The former two still exist.
• 1916 - Pulaski Heights, one of Little Rock's earliest western suburbs, is annexed into the city, setting the stage for further westward expansion.
• 1957 - The "Little Rock Nine" are finally enrolled at Little Rock's Central High School, after riots and the state milita hindered their first attempt at enrollment. Federal troops were dispatched to ensure their safety and enforce their right to attend school.
• 1992 - Bill Clinton, the first person from Arkansas to be elected President of the United States gives his acceptance speech from in front of the Old State House in downtown Little Rock.
• 2004 - Clinton Library opens in Downtown Little Rock with a host of dignitaries and celebrities, including current and former presidents

Economy

Little Rock is headquarters of several companies including Alltel, Dillard's, and Heifer International, as well as Stephens, Inc. — one of the largest investment firms off Wall Street and often noted by its association with Wesley Clark.

Education

The city is the site of two universities in the University of Arkansas System, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences campuses.

The public schools in Little Rock are operated by the Little Rock School District.

Sites of interest

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State Capitol Image of the Arkansas state capitol building in downtown Little Rock

• Aerospace Education Center - IMAX Theater & EpiSphere Digital Dome Theater
• Arkansas Arboretum
• Arkansas Arts Center - the state's largest art museum, notable for its drawings collections and children's theater productions
• Arkansas Museum of Discovery - Arkansas Museum of Science & History
• Arkansas Repertory Theatre - The Rep
• Arkansas River Trail
• Arkansas State Capitol - a smaller-scale replica of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., completed in 1911
• William J. Clinton Presidential Center - a library and museum detailing the two terms of Clinton's presidency
• Heifer International - headquarters of the global hunger and poverty relief organization, to be relocated adjacent to the Clinton Presidential Center
• Historic Arkansas Museum - a regional history museum focusing primarily on the frontier time period
• Little Rock Central High School
• Little Rock Zoo
• MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History - a military museum dedicated to interpreting Arkansas' role in military history
• Old State House Museum - a former state capitol building now home to a history museum focusing on Arkansas' recent history
• Pinnacle Mountain State Park - a state park near northwest Little Rock
• Riverfront Park - a park located in downtown, hosts the annual Riverfest music festival, and home to La Petite Roche (the little rock).
• River Market District - a refurbished former warehouse district and subset of downtown including an old-fashioned bazaar-style market hall, a farmers' market from April to late October each year; and various shops, bars, restaurants and galleries
• Robinson Center Music Hall - The main performance center of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

Sports

Little Rock is the home of the Arkansas Travelers Minor League Baseball team. They are in the Texas League.

The now defunct Arkansas RiverBlades and Arkansas GlacierCats, minor-league hockey teams were both located in the Little Rock area. The GlacierCats played in Little Rock proper while the RiverBlades played in North Little Rock. North Little Rock is home to the Arkansas Twisters of the af2 arena football league and the Arkansas RimRockers of the D-League in basketball, as well.

Little Rock is home to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Trojans, however outshined in popularity by the University of Arkansas Razorbacks from Fayetteville, Arkansas

Transporation

A number of highways converge on Little Rock. I-40 enters the city from the east and northwest while US 67 and US 167 share the same route from the northeast.Interstate 30 and US 67 enters from the southwest with US 65 sharing the same route as I-40 from the northwest and US 167 from the southeast. Other highways include I-430, I-440, I-530, and I-630. I-530 which terminates in Little Rock after originating in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Air service is provided by Little Rock National Airport. Amtrak also serves the city.

Little Rock, along with North Little Rock, now has a trolley system that runs through both city's downtown areas called the River Rail Streetcarsystem.

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Route Map

Notable people

The band Evanescence has its roots here. Former 2004 presidential contender Wesley Clark lives in Little Rock. Actress Joey Lauren Adams was born in Little Rock and attended North Little Rock High School. Actress Mary Steenburgen attended North Little Rock High School.

External links

• City of Little Rock
• DowntownLittleRock.com
• Downtown Little Rock Partnership
• Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newspaper
• Arkansas Times newspaper
• Heart of Arkansas Tourism Association