Arkansan

An Arkansan is a resident or native of Arkansas, a state in the southern United States. The standard demonym is Arkansan; older variants such as Arkansawyer or Arkansanian are rarely used today. The state's name, Arkansas, comes from the Arkansas River and derives from a French rendering of a Native American word referring to the Quapaw people who lived along the river.

Arkansas is bordered by Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east across the Mississippi River, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. The landscape includes the Ozark Mountains in the north, the Ouachita Mountains toward the center and south, and the Mississippi Alluvial Plain in the east. The capital and most populous city is Little Rock; other major cities include Fayetteville, Springdale, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, and North Little Rock. The population is around three million.

Economy and culture in Arkansas are diverse. Key industries include agriculture—particularly poultry and soybeans—manufacturing, logistics, and retail. The state is home to the headquarters of Walmart in Bentonville and Tyson Foods in Springdale. Arkansas also has a tradition of outdoor recreation, music, and cuisine that reflect Southern and regional influences.

Arkansans have contributed to politics, business, the arts, and sports, and English is the de facto language used in daily life and government. The term Arkansan remains the most common demonym for residents of the state.