Little Rock

Guide Note

Little Rock is not only the biggest city in Arkansas, it is also the state capital. Little Rock was originally named La Petite Roche, by French explorer Bernard de la Harpe in 1722. La Petite Roche is French for "the little rock", which referred to an outcrop of rocks on the bank of the Arkansas river that travelers used as a landmark.

Little Rock is located in central Arkansas and sits on the south bank of the Arkansas river. Two creeks run through Little Rock, Fourche Creek and Rock Creek. The western part of Little Rock is situated in the Ouachita mountains. North Little Rock is located just across the river from Little Rock but is a different city. Little Rock's climate is humid subtropical with hot humid summers and chilly winters.

In 1819 Little Rock was home to a few settlers with just a few crude buildings and log huts. By the late 1820s Little Rock had 400 settlers and 60 buildings but most of them were built from logs. The Arkansas Gazette was founded in Little Rock in 1819 and is the oldest newspaper west of the Mississippi. Schools opened in 1823 followed by churches the next year. A road was constructed between Memphis and Little Rock with $15,000 designated by Congress and was completed in 1826. When Arkansas became a state in 1836 Little Rock was declared the state capitol.

Fast Facts

1. Country: United States
2. State: Arkansas
3. County: Pulaski
4. Mayor: Mark Stodola
5. Population: 184,422 (2006)
6. Currency: U.S. Dollar
7. Area Code: +501
8. Time Zone: CST
9. Current Time and Weather

If planning a visit, please see Little Rock Vacation, Little Rock Hotels, Little Rock Restaurants