Arkansas

French Louisiana, of which Arkansas was once a part, was sold to the USA by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1803. Hence the French name La Petite Roche. Little Rock, as well as being the capital of Arkansas, is also its largest city with an estimated population in 2013 of 197,357

In 1912 Arkansas still had no official flag so the contest was launched. The original design had only 3 stars and did not bear the name of the state. A modified version in 1913 added the word Arkansas, a second redesign in 1923 added a fourth star (the 4 stars took the shape of a square), and this final version of 1924 arranged the 4 stars in their current positions.

The diamond on the flag represents Arkansas' status as the only state to contain diamonds at the time the flag was made (2 other states have since discovered diamond deposits). The 25 stars around the edge signify Arkansas' position as the 25th state to join the Union, and the star above the word Arkansas represents the Confederate States of America, of which Arkansas was a member. The 3 lower stars have more than one meaning. They are said to represent Arkansas' position as the third state formed from the Louisiana Purchase, the last number of the year in which the Louisiana Purchase was signed (1803), and the three Empires of which Arkansas has been a part (Spain, France, and the United States)

The cave was not properly explored until 1955 and the process took 5 years. During that time a 1,000 year old body if a Native American was found with a fractured leg, ribs and skull. How this early explorer met his fate remains unknown

The European honey bee is native to Europe, Africa and Asia but was introduced to the Americas in the 17th century where it has thrived.
It is also the state insect of Missouri, West Virginia, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Utah, Georgia, Nebraska, Maine, South Dakota, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, Kansas and Vermont!

The tower was built in 1986 in Little Rock and was originally named Capitol Tower. In 1991 it was renamed the TCBY Tower after the frozen yoghurt company which took up residence. In 2004 the Metropolitan National Bank moved its headquarters in the building and it was renamed in their honour

As well as being the United States President between 1993 1nd 2001, Bill Clinton was also twice the Governor of Arkansas (1979 - 1981 and 1983 - 1992), and the Attorney General of Arkansas (1977 - 1979)

The Buffalo's status as a National River protects it from industrial use and from obstructions which would disrupt the natural habitat of its animals and plants

The northern mockingbird is the only species of mockingbird native to North America. Its scientific name mimus polyglottos means ''many-tongued mimic" and reflects its ability to copy noises and words

On the seal the motto is held in the beak of a bald eagle - the symbol of the USA. Also present are the goddess of liberty, the angel of mercy and the sword of justice. A shield dominates the foreground and it is marked with three symbols of Arkansas' economy - a boat, a plough, a beehive and a wheat sheaf

Apple blossom (which is also the state flower of Michigan) was adopted by Arkansas in 1901 when apples were a major crop in the state. Apple blossom was almost rejected in favour of the passionflower because of religious concerns that the apple symbolised man's fall from grace in the garden of Eden