Little Rock, Arkansas
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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 Petite Roche (the "little rock"). The "little rock" was used by early river traffic as a landmark and became a well-known river crossing.
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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. And just northwest of the city limits is Pinnacle Mountain and Lake Maumelle, which provides Little Rock's drinking water.
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
LittleRockLightsOut.JPG
As the 2000 census, the Little Rock-North Little Rock MSA had a total population of 610,518 including the following counties: Pulaski, Faulkner, Saline, Lonoke, Perry, and Grant. The largest cities include North Little Rock, Conway, Jacksonville, Benton, Sherwood, Cabot, Maumelle, and Bryant.
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 Litte Rock.
- 1911 - The State Capitol building is completed. It is the third building constructed to house the state government. The former two still exist.
- 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 insure 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.
Little Rock historically was involved with the American Civil Rights Movement, when Little Rock Central High School was racially integrated in September 1957.
Tourist attractions
- Aerospace Education Center - IMAX Theater & EpiSphere Digital Dome Theater
- Arkansas Arboretum
- Arkansas Arts Center - the state's largest art museum
- Arkansas Museum of Discovery - Arkansas Museum of Science & History
- Arkansas Repertory Theatre - The Rep
- Arkansas River Trail
- Arkansas State Capitol Building
- Heifer International - a new learning center will be opening soon
- 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 history museum focusing on Arkansas recent history
- Pinnacle Mountain State Park - a nearby state park
- Riverfront Park - a park located in downtown, hosts the annual Riverfest music festival, and home to La Petite Roche, (the little rock).
- The Rivermarket - an old-fashioned bazaar-style market, during the summer months it hosts a farmer's market
- William J. Clinton Presidential Center - a library and museum detailing the two terms of Clinton's presidency
Facts
- 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.
- The Robinson Music Center Auditorium, located in Little Rock, is the main performance place of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.
- The Arkansas State Capitol Building is a smaller-scale replica of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
- The Arkansas River runs past Little Rock. The city of North Little Rock is located just across the river from Little Rock.
- Interstate 30 terminates in Little Rock from Texarkana, Arkansas after originating in Fort Worth, Texas
- Little Rock is the corporate headquarters of Alltel and Dillard's.
- The city is served by Little Rock National Airport.
- The band Evanescence has its roots here. Its lead singer Amy Lee attended Pulaski Academy, a well-known private school in West Little Rock.
- Stephens, Inc., an investment company often noted by its association with Wesley Clark is headquartered in Little Rock.
- The former 2004 presidential contender Wesley Clark lived in Little Rock.
External links
- City of Little Rock (http://www.littlerock.dina.org/)
- DOWNTOWNLITTLEROCK.COM (http://www.downtownlittlerock.com/)
- Downtown Little Rock Partnership (http://www.downtownlr.com/)
- Heart of Arkansas (http://www.heartofarkansas.com/)
