Arkansas Economy & Tourism

 By most standards, Arkansas is one of the poorest states in the United States.
Although real personal income per capita in Arkansas rose by 2 percent annually
in the early 1990s, the state figure of $12,691 in 1993 was 22 percent below
the U.S. average.

 Arkansas has been described historically as being part of the Cotton Belt.
In recent years, however, this designation has become somewhat misleading.
Although cotton remains a leading crop, natural gas and petroleum, broiler
chickens, cattle, soybeans, and rice are far more important to the economy.
The contribution of manufacturing to the state gross product is six times
that of agriculture.

 Visitors spend nearly $2.2 million each year in Arkansas. Nearly 3 million
people are attracted to the areas in the state administered by the National
Park Service, such as Hot Springs National Park and Fort Smith National
Historic Site. Arkansas also maintains many state parks, visited by nearly
7 million people each year. The state also maintains numerous recreation
areas, many of which provide opportunities for fishing, boating, camping,
and sightseeing.