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The State:
Arkansas has a varied landscape of plains, mountains, forests, rivers,
cattle farms, industrial centres and oil wells. The main claims to fame
of this State are the beauty of its outdoors and that former President
Bill Clinton was the Governor in Little Rock before moving to the
White House – there are museums and exhibits dedicated to his life. One
of Arkansas’ earliest settlements, Little Rock is a thriving place
filled with museums, art exhibitions and parks. Attractions include the
Decorative Arts Museum; River Market District; the
Governor’s Mansion; Historic Arkansas Museum; Arkansas
Arts Center; and theMuseum of Discovery. The
William J Clinton Presidential Center and Library is currently under
construction and is due to be completed in 2004. The Rock Island
Railroad Bridge and the Choctaw Station, originally built in
1899, are also being renovated. The best time to visit Little Rock is
during Riverfest on the last evening of Memorial Day
weekend, when the locals celebrate in style in Julius Breckling
Riverfront Park with bands, dancing and a fireworks display.
The glorious Ozark Mountains stretch from southern Missouri
through northern Arkansas. The village of Mountain View is a
musical mecca, home to the Ozark Folk Center and events such as
the Arkansas Folk Festival in April and the Arkansas
State Old-Time Fiddle Championships in September. Fishing in the
White River is another option, but before casting out, a fishing
licence must be obtained from one of the local stores. Excursions can be
taken to Buffalo National River, which is a great spot for
canoeing, or to the Blanchard Springs Caverns on the south border
of the Ozark National Forest, which covers 0.5 million hectares
(1.2 million acres) and is home to Mount Magazine, the tallest
mountain in the State.
Eureka Springs draws millions of tourists to its Great Passion
Play outdoor drama and the Christ of the Ozarks statue, which
stands 1.8m (6ft) high and was completed in 1966. At Hot Springs
National Park, visitors can soothe their worries away in a choice
of bathhouses, cheer on thoroughbreds or fish and swim at three great
lakes. Texarkana lies on the border with Texas; in the Museum
of Regional History there is an exhibition devoted to Scott Joplin
(the African-Amercian ragtime pianist and composer), a famous former
resident of the town. Other State attractions include the Crater of
Diamonds State Park, where visitors can dig for diamonds, Fort
Smith National Historic Site and Toltec Mounds Archaeological
State Park.
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