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Little Rock is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Arkansasmarker and the county seat of Pulaski Countymarker. The Metropolitan Statistical Area, had a population of 675,069 people, according to 2008 census estimates. The MSA is in turn included in the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Pine Bluff, Arkansas Combined Statistical Area, which had a population of 850,561 in the 2008 census estimates. As of 2008, according to the US census, Little Rock had a population of 189,515.

Located near the geographic center of Arkansas, Little Rock derives its name from a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas Rivermarker called la Petite Roche (French: "the little rock"). The "little rock" was used by early river traffic as a landmark and became a well-known river crossing.

History

Origins

Many artifacts have been found that suggest Native Americans inhabited Central Arkansas thousands of years before European settlers arrived. These original inhabitants may have included the Folsom people, Bluff Dwellers, Mound Builders, Caddo, Quapaw, Osage, Choctaw and Cherokee. Arkansas was first explored by Europeans in 1541 when Hernando de Soto of Spainmarker traveled through the area.

Little Rock was actually named for a little rock. Early travelers used a stone outcropping on the bank of the Arkansas Rivermarker as a landmark. "La Petite Roche" (French for "the Little Rock"), so named in 1722 by French explorer Jean-Baptiste Bénard de la Harpe, marked the transition from the flat Mississippi Delta region to the Ouachita Mountainmarker foothills. Travelers would refer to the area as "the Little Rock" and the name stuck.

Timeline

  • 1722 – French explorer Jean-Baptiste Benard de la Harpe lands near a small rock formation on the south bank of the Arkansas Rivermarker which he reputedly names la Petite Roche (the little rock). La Harpe builds a trading post near the little rock. The Quapaw Indians reside nearby.
  • 1812 – William Lewis, a fur trapper, builds a home near the little rock.
  • 1820 – Little Rock is surveyed.
  • 1820 – Robert Crittenden, born 1797, and Chester Ashley, born 1791, enter into an agreement for a "Partnership in the Practice of Law" which lays the groundwork for the Rose Law Firm, the oldest law firm west of the Mississippi River.
  • 1821 – Little Rock becomes the capital of the Arkansas Territory formed in 1819.
  • 1831 – Little Rock is incorporated as a city.
  • 1833 – The Territorial Capitol (now the Old State Housemarker) is built. Completed in 1842, it serves as the State Capitol until 1911.
  • 1836 – Arkansasmarker becomes the 25th state, and Little Rock became the official capital city.
  • 1861 – Arkansasmarker joins the Confederacy.
  • 1863 – Union forces occupy Little Rock.
  • 1874 – The Brooks-Baxter War takes place in Little Rock.
  • 1880 – General Douglas MacArthur born on January 26 in the The Tower Building of the Little Rock Arsenalmarker. The building is now the home of the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History and the surrounding is area is called MacArthur Park.
  • 1911 – The current State Capitol building is completed. It is the second building constructed to house the state government, after the Old State Housemarker.
  • 1916 – Pulaski Heightsmarker, one of Little Rock's earliest western suburbs, is annexed into the city, setting the stage for further westward expansion.
  • 1957 – The Little Rock Nine are enrolled at Little Rock Central High Schoolmarker after public protests and the Arkansas National Guard under the direction of Governor Orval Faubus, prevents their first attempt at enrollment. President Dwight Eisenhower dispatches federal troops to ensure the students' safety and enforce their right to attend school. These events are collectively referred to as the Crisis at Central High.
  • 1958 – All three public High Schools in Little Rock are closed for one year by Governor Faubus.
  • 1968 – Construction booms downtown, Worthen Bank Building at and Union National Bank at are under construction and replace The Tower Building as the city's tallest buildings. Union National Bank subsequently merged into Worthen, which eventually would become part of Bank of America.
  • 1974 – First National Bank building is under construction and becomes the city's tallest building at and 30 stories. The building currently is Arkansas headquarters for Regions Bank.
  • 1986 – The Capitol Tower is completed, and at 40 stories and tall, is currently the tallest building in Arkansas. The skyscraper's name changed to the TCBY Tower later and became the Metropolitan Tower as of October 2004. The Stephens Building is also completed and is 25 stories and tall when finished. It was first known as the First South building and then the Rogers building.
  • 1992 – Bill Clinton is elected President of the United States. He delivers an election night acceptance speech from the front steps of the historic Old State Housemarker in downtown Little Rock. He is the first person from the state of Arkansas to be elected President. He is elected to a second term in 1996.
  • 1997 – The 40th anniversary of the Crisis at Central High is marked by the opening of a new National Park Service visitor center.
  • 2000 – Little Rock's record high temperature of 111 degrees Fahrenheit is recorded by the National Weather Service in August.
  • 2003 – First Little Rock Marathon is held. Counting the relays, 1615 runners participate in the race, making it one of the top 25 races in the nation for 2003.
  • 2003 – Little Rock resident Wesley Kanne Clark, a retired four-star general in the U.S. Army and former Supreme Allied Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organizationmarker (NATO), announces his intention to run in the presidential primary election for the Democratic Party nomination.
  • 2004 – William J.marker Clinton Presidential Centermarker opens with a host of dignitaries and celebrities, including then-Governor Mike Huckabee, then-President George W. Bush, and former presidents George H. W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.
  • 2006 – The international charitable organization Heifer International dedicates a $17.5 million world headquarters in downtown Little Rock. The organization announces plans to further develop the 33 acre location into the Heifer International Center campus.
  • 2006 – The Pulaski County Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge, better known as the Big Dam Bridgemarker, opens to the public. The Big Dam Bridge extends across the Arkansas Rivermarker and is currently the world’s longest bridge specifically built for pedestrians/bicycles.
  • 2006 – The five-year construction boom of mixed-use, high-rise buildings in downtown's historic River Market district began construction on over 60 stories of residential and retail property and 240 additional hotel rooms slated to be completed by the end of 2009. Among the major residential projects completed or planned are the Capital Commerce Center (2002), First Security Center (2004), 300 Third Tower (2006), and the River Market Tower (2009).
  • 2007 – Dickey-Stephens Parkmarker, home to the Arkansas Travelers minor league baseball team, opens. The newly constructed ball park has a capacity of 7,000 and is situated on the Arkansas River in North Little Rock, Arkansasmarker, opposite downtown Little Rock.


Geography

Little Rock is located at (34.736009, -92.331122).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 116.8 square miles (302.5 km²), of which, 116.2 square miles (301.0 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (0.52%) is water.

Little Rock is located on the south bank of the Arkansas Rivermarker 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 Mountainsmarker. Just northwest of the city limits is Pinnacle Mountain and Lake Maumelle, which provides Little Rock's drinking water. The city of North Little Rockmarker is located just across the river from Little Rock, but it is a separate city. North Little Rockmarker was once the 8th ward of Little Rock. An Arkansas Supreme Courtmarker decision on February 6, 1904, allowed the ward to merge with the neighboring town of North Little Rock. The merged town quickly renamed itself Argenta (the local name for the former 8th Ward), but returned to its original name in October 1917.

Crime

Little Rock has a well above average crime rate for a city with about 200,000 people. Most of the city of Little Rock's homicides occur in the 12th street area near I-630, the Asher Avenue area and the notorious but gentrifying Southwest Little Rock, which was reported to have about 17 killings in 2008.

Crime Stats for 2008: (As of late December 2008)

Homicides:34Rapes:142Robberies:894Aggravated Assaults:1,396Larceny:9,750Burglary:4,286Arson:92

Government

The city operated under a city manager form of government until 2007 when voters voted to convert to a strong-mayor form of government, making the mayor's position a full-time position with veto power, though the city also retains the city manager position. The city employs over 2500 individuals in 14 different departments including the Police department, the Fire department, Parks and Recreation and the Zoo.

Most Pulaski County government offices are located in the city of Little Rock and include among others the Quorum, Circuit, District, Juvenile Courts and the Assessor, County Judge, County Attorney and Public Defenders offices.

The U.S. Federal District Court (Eastern District) of the St. Louis 8th District and also the Circuit Federal Court of Appeals are located in Little Rock.

Climate data

Little Rock lies in the Humid subtropical climate zone, with hot, humid summers and cool to chilly winters.
Meteorological Data for the Little Rock Greater Metropolitan Area
Rainfall averages for each month.
Humidity indices for each month.
Wind speeds during the various months.
Snowfall averages for each month.
Average percentage of sun during the day.


Demographics

As of the 2005–2007 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, White Americans made up 52.7% of Little Rock's population; of which 49.4% were non-Hispanic whites. Blacks or African Americans made up 42.1% of Little Rock's population; of which 42.0% were non-Hispanic blacks. American Indian made up 0.4% of Little Rock's population while Asian Americans made up 2.1% of the city's population. Pacific Islander Americans made up less than 0.1% of the city's population. Individuals from some other race made up 1.2% of the city's population; of which 0.2% were non-Hispanic. Individuals from two or more races made up 1.4% of the city's population; of which 1.1% were non-Hispanic. In addition, Hispanics and Latinos made up 4.7% of Little Rock's population.

As of the 2000 census, there were 183,133 people, 77,352 households, and 46,488 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,576.0 people per square mile (608.5/km²). There were 84,793 housing units at an average density of 729.7/sq mi (281.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.1% White, 40.4% Black, 0.3% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 2.7% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

There were 77,352 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,572, and the median income for a family was $47,446. Males had a median income of $35,689 versus $26,802 for females. The per capita income for the city was $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 were living below the poverty line.

Metropolitan statistical area

The 2008 U.S. Census population estimate for the Metropolitan Statistical Area of Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway was 675,069. The MSA includes the following counties: Pulaskimarker, Faulknermarker, Grantmarker, Lonokemarker, Perrymarker, and Salinemarker. The largest cities include Little Rockmarker, North Little Rockmarker, Conwaymarker, Jacksonvillemarker, Bentonmarker, Sherwoodmarker, Cabotmarker, Maumellemarker, and Bryantmarker.

The 2008 U.S. Census population estimate for the Combined Statistical Area (CSA) of Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff was 850,561.

Economy and business

Partial view of Little Rock Skyline in 2005.
corporations headquartered in Little Rock include Alltel, Dillard's Department Stores, Windstream Communications and Acxiom.

Additional large companies headquartered in Little Rock include Metropolitan National Bank, Rose Law Firm, Nuvell Financial Services, Central Flying Service and Stephens Inc.

Large companies headquartered in other cities but with a large presence in Little Rock include Dassault Falcon Jet and Raytheon Aircraft Company near Little Rock National Airport in the eastern part of the city, and Fidelity National Information Services in northwestern Little Rock.

Non-profit organizations include Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, Heifer International, Lions World Services for the Blind, William J. Clinton Museum, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Audubon Arkansas, The Nature Conservancy, and Winrock International.

Associations include the American Taekwondo Association, Arkansas Hospital Association, and the Quapaw Quarter Association.

Major employers throughout Little Rock include Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Entergy, Raytheon, Siemens, AT&T Mobility, Kroger, Affiliated Foods Southwest and Timex.

One of the largest public employers in the state with over 9,400 employees, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciencesmarker (UAMS) and its affiliates—Arkansas Children's Hospitalmarker and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System—have a total economic impact in Arkansas of about $4.1 billion per year. UAMS receives less than 11% of its funding from the state. Its operation is funded by payments for clinical services (64%), grants and contracts (18%), philanthropy and other (5%), and tuition and fees (2%).

The Little Rock port is an intermodal river port with a large industrial business complex. It is designated as Foreign Trade Zone 14. International corporations such as Danishmarker manufacturer LM Glasfiber have established new facilities adjacent to the port in recent years.

Little Rock was named 22nd out of 361 metropolitan areas as best places for business in 2005 by Forbes Magazine.

Moody's Investor Services ranks Little Rock as the second most diverse economy in the nation.

Along with Louisvillemarker and Memphismarker, Little Rock houses one of three branches of the St. Louis Federal Reserve district.

In addition, early in the 20th Century, Little Rock was home to brass era automobile maker Climber.

The Brookings Institution ranks Little Rock as the 7th best metropolitan economy in the United States in 2009 with the second best overall growth from 2008 to 2009 after Des Moines.

Museums

William J.
Clinton Presidential Library Photo of the library in downtown Little Rock


  • The Arkansas Arts Center, the state's largest cultural institution, is a museum of art and an active center for the visual and performing arts.
  • The William J.marker Clinton Presidential Centermarker includes the Clinton presidential library and the offices of the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton School of Public Service. The Library facility, designed by architect James Polshek, cantilevers over the Arkansas Rivermarker, echoing Clinton's famous campaign promise of "building a bridge to the 21st century. The archives and library contains 2 million photographs, 80 million pages of documents, 21 million e-mail messages, and nearly 80,000 artifacts from the Clinton presidency. The museum within the library showcases artifacts from Clinton's term and includes a full-scale replica of the Clinton-era Oval Office.Opened on November 18, 2004, the Clinton Presidential Centermarker cost $165 million to construct and covers 150,000 square feet (14,000 m²) within a 28 acre (113,000 m²) park.
  • The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military Historymarker opened in 2001, the last remaining structure of the original Little Rock Arsenal and one of the oldest buildings in central Arkansas, it was also the birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur who would go on to be the supreme commander of US forces in the South Pacific during World War II.
  • The Arkansas Museum of Discoverymarker features hands-on exhibits in the fields of science, history and technology.
  • The Old State House Museummarker is a former state capitol building now home to a history museum focusing on Arkansas' recent history.
  • The Historic Arkansas Museummarker is a regional history museum focusing primarily on the frontier time period.


Education

Colleges and universities

The city has two major universities that are part of the University of Arkansas System. The campuses of the University of Arkansas at Little Rockmarker and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciencesmarker are located within Little Rock.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock was founded in 1927 as Little Rock Junior College, under the supervision of the city Board of Education. The first semester open, there were eight instructors and about 100 students. The college is currently accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, a status it has kept since 1929. Housed originally in public school buildings, the college moved in 1949 to its present location between University Ave and Fair Park Blvd, North of Asher Ave, on land donated by Raymond Rebsamen, a Little Rock businessman. The college was also the sole beneficiary of a continuing trust established by former Governor George W. Donaghey at the time. In 1957, the institution began a four-year degree program, became independent and privately supported under a separate board of trustees, and took the name Little Rock University.

In September 1969, The Little Rock University merged into the University of Arkansas System, to create the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The University of Arkansas System merger began a period of steady growth, which saw UALR go from about 3,500 students and 75 full-time faculty members in 1969 to about 10,000 students and over 400 full-time faculty members in the 1998 academic year. The University's expanded offerings now include 54 undergraduate major programs, an extensive schedule of night, weekend, and off-campus classes, and a wide range of community educational services. UALR began offering graduate and professional work in 1975. Besides the juris doctor offered at the William H. Bowen School of Law, UALR now has three doctoral programs and 29 graduate and professional programs, as well as joint programs with other campuses of the University of Arkansas System.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciencesmarker (UAMS) is part of the University of Arkansas System. UAMS has about 2200 students in six academic units: the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Health Related Professions, and Public Health and the Graduate School. UAMS also has more than 660 resident physicians completing their training at UAMS or at one of the seven Area Health Education Centers around the state. UAMS combines the patient care resources of a state-of-the art hospital and outpatient center with the Arkansas Cancer Research Center, Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, and Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neurosciences Institute. Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System are affiliates of UAMS.

The outreach efforts of UAMS include seven Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) in Fayettevillemarker, Pine Bluffmarker, El Doradomarker, Texarkanamarker, Fort Smithmarker, Jonesboromarker, and Helena, Arkansasmarker; networks of senior health centers and centers for young children with special health care needs; and interactive video education and medical consultation services to community hospitals around the state. UAMS is the state’s largest basic and applied research institution with internationally renowned programs in multiple myeloma, aging, and other areas.

Located in downtown is the specialized Clinton School of Public Servicemarker, a branch of the University of Arkansas System, which offers a master's degree in public service.

The city is also home to two smaller, private historically black colleges, Philander Smith College and Arkansas Baptist College.

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

The public schools in Little Rock are operated by the Little Rock School District known by residents as LRSD. Currently, the district includes 64 schools with more schools being built. As of the 2005–2006 school year, the district has enrollment of 26,524. It has 5 high schools, 8 middle schools, 31 elementary schools, 1 early childhood (pre-kndergarten) center, 2 alternative schools, 1 adult education center, 1 accelerated learning center, 1 career-techinal center, and about 3,800 employees.

Public high schools in Little Rock include:

Private schools



Public libraries

The Central Arkansas Library System includes the main building downtown and numerous branches throughout the city as well as branches in Jacksonvillemarker, Maumellemarker, Perryvillemarker, and Sherwoodmarker. The Pulaski County Law Library is located at the William H. Bowen School of Law

Medical

Hospitals in Little Rock include:

Cultural

  • Aerospace Education Center – IMAX Theater & EpiSphere Digital Dome Theater. The IMAX Theatre features a variety of science related items. Aviation exhibits on display are an original Sopwith Camel and a replica of the Wright Flyer.
  • Arkansas Arboretum – Located at Pinnacle Mountain, it has an interpretive trail with flora and tree plantings.
  • Arkansas Arts Center – the state's largest art museum, notable for its drawings, collections and children's theater productions. It features works by Van Gogh and Rembrandt among others. The museum has eight art galleries, a museum school, gift shop and restaurant.
  • Arkansas Repertory Theatre – The Rep is the state's largest professional not-for-profit theatre.
  • Arkansas Symphony Orchestra – In its 41st season, the orchestra performs over 30 concerts a year and many special events.
  • Ballet Arkansas – The state's only professional ballet company.
  • Heifer International – headquarters of the global hunger and poverty relief organization, located adjacent to the Clinton Presidential Center
  • Quapaw Quarter – Turn of the century Little Rock includes three National Register historic districts with over a hundred buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours are available showing the many Victorian and Antebellum homes.
  • Robinson Center Music Hallmarker – The main performance center of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.
  • Villa Marre – An 1881 home of Italianate and Second Empire styles refurbished in the 1960s and shown in the opening scenes of the television show "Designing Women."
  • Wildwood Park for the Arts – The largest park dedicated to the performing arts in the South. It features year-round performances of opera, cabaret, and jazz, as well as seasonal festivals and cultural events.


Notable places



Shopping/retail

Some notable shopping locations in the city of Little Rock are:

University Avenue/Markham

Cantrell Road/Highway 10

Chenal Parkway

Shackleford Road/Interstate 430

Retailers in Little Rock include Dillard's, J. C. Penney, Sears, Belk, Wal-Martmarker, Kmart, Target, and Kohl's. Additionally, several smaller and niche retailers can be found throughout the city, with corporations such as Gap Inc., Talbots, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and Chico's each operating more than one company store concept in Little Rock.

Sports

Club League Venue Established Championships
Arkansas Travelers Texas League Dickey-Stephens Parkmarker 1895 9
Arkansas Twisters Arena Football 1 Verizon Arenamarker 2000 0
Team Arkansas All American Football League War Memorial Stadiummarker 2009 0
Arkansas-Little Rock Trojansmarker NCAA–Sun Belt Conference Jack Stephens Centermarker 1927 3
Arkansas-Little Rock Trojansmarker NCAA–Sun Belt Conference Gary Hogan Field 1927 0
Arkansas Rhinos North American Football League Mills High School 2000 1


Little Rock was home to the Arkansas Travelers. They are the AA professional Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the Texas League. The Travelers played their last game in Little Rock at Ray Winder Field on September 3, 2006, and moved into Dickey-Stephens Parkmarker in nearby North Little Rockmarker in April 2007. Little Rock is scheduled to be home to the Little Rock Rivercatz of the American Basketball Association for the 2007–2008 season.

Little Rock is also home to the Arkansas Twisters of the af2 arena football league and the Arkansas RimRockers of the NBA Development League. Both of these teams play at the Verizon Arenamarker in North Little Rock.

Little Rock is home to the University of Arkansas at Little Rockmarker Trojans. The majority of the schools athletic teams are housed in the new state-of-the-art Jack Stephens Centermarker. The Trojans play in the Sun Belt conference, where Arkansas State Universitymarker is their chief rival.

Little Rock's War Memorial Stadiummarker plays host to at least two University of Arkansas Razorback games each year. The stadium is known for being in the middle of a golf course. Each fall, the city closes the golf course on Razorback football weekends for fans to tailgate. It is estimated that over 80,000 people are present for the tailgating actitivities on these weekends. War Memorial also hosts the Arkansas High School football state championships, and starting in the fall of 2006 hosts one game apiece for the University of Central Arkansas and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluffmarker. Arkansas State Universitymarker also plays at the stadium from time to time.

Little Rock was a host of the First and Second Rounds of the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. It has also been a host of the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament.

The now defunct Arkansas RiverBlades and Arkansas GlacierCats, both minor-league hockey teams, were located in the Little Rock area. The GlacierCats of the now defunct Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) played in Little Rock at Barton Coliseummarker while the RiverBlades of the ECHL played at the Verizon Arenamarker.

Hubert "Geese" Ausbie played basketball at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, where he earned All-Conference and All-American honors. He later gained fame as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters.

John Kocinski, 250 cc and World Superbike motorcycle racing champion, is from Little Rock.

World Champion Middleweight Boxer Jermain Taylor and NBA players Derek Fisher and Joe Johnson were born and/or have roots in Little Rock.

Transportation

Road

A number of highways converge near Little Rock. I-40 passes through North Little Rockmarker to the north. US 70 parallels I-40 into North Little Rock before multiplexing with I-30 at the Broadway exit (Exit 141B). US 67 and US 167 share the same route from the northeast before splitting. US 67 and US 70 multiplex with Interstate 30 to the southwest. US 167 multiplexes with US 65 and I-530 to the southeast. Other highways include I-430, I-440, I-530, and I-630. I-530 terminates in Little Rock after originating in Pine Bluff, Arkansasmarker.

Air

Nine airlines serve 18 national/international gateway cities, e.g. St. Louismarker, Chicagomarker, Atlantamarker, Dallasmarker, Charlottemarker, etc. from Little Rock National Airportmarker. In 2006 they carried approximately 2.1 million passengers on approximately 150 daily flights to and from Little Rock.

Bus

Greyhound Lines serves Dallas, Memphis, Houston, and St. Louis, as well as intermediate points, with numerous connections to other cities and towns. Jefferson Lines serves Fort Smith, Kansas City, and Oklahoma City, as well as intermediate points, with numerous connections to other cities and towns. These carriers operate out of the North Little Rock bus station.

Rail

Amtrak serves the city twice daily via the Texas Eagle, with northbound service to Chicagomarker and southbound service to San Antoniomarker, as well as numerous intermediate points. Through service to Los Angelesmarker and intermediate points operates three times a week. The train carries coaches, a sleeping car, a dining car, and a Sightseer Lounge car. Reservations are required.

Public transport

Within the city, public bus service is provided by the Central Arkansas Transit Authority (CATA), with 16 regular daily routes and two express routes throughout the Little Rock area. Additional service includes four connecting routes originating in Little Rock serving North Little Rock daily excluding Sundays; morning and early evening Monday-Friday express routes to Maumellemarker and Jacksonvillemarker/Sherwoodmarker; special events shuttle buses; and paratransit service for disabled persons.

Since November 2004, downtown areas of Little Rock and North Little Rock have been additionally served by the River Rail Electric Streetcar system, also operated by CATA.

Media

Print

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette is the largest newspaper in the city, as well as the state. As of March 31, 2006, Sunday circulation is 275,991 copies, while daily (Monday-Saturday) circulation is 180,662, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations.

Daily legal and real estate news is also provided Monday through Friday in the Daily Record. Entertainment and political coverage is provided weekly in Arkansas Times and monthly in the Little Rock Free Press. Business and economics news is published weekly in Arkansas Business

In addition to area newspapers, the Little Rock market is served by a variety of magazines covering diverse interests. The publications include:

Television

All major television networks have local affiliates in Little Rock, in addition to numerous independent stations. As for cable services, Comcast has a monopoly over Little Rock and the majority of Pulaski County. Some suburbs have the option of having Comcast, Charter or other cable companies.

Television stations in the Little Rock area include:

{|Border="1"
!Call letters !! Number !! Network
|-
|KETS || 2 || PBS
|-
|KARKmarker || 4 || NBC
|-
|KATVmarker || 7 || ABC
|-
|KTHVmarker|| 11 || CBS
|-
|KLRTmarker || 16 || FOX
|-
|KKYKmarker || 20 || RTN
|-
|KVTN || 25 || VTN
|-
|KASNmarker || 38 || CW
|-
|KKAPmarker || 36 || DTN
|-
|KWBFmarker || 42 || MNTV
|-
|KYPXmarker || 49 || RTN
|}


Radio

AM radio Stations in the Little Rock area include:

Call letters Frequency Format
KEWImarker 690 Variety
KMTLmarker 760 Gospel
KLRGmarker 880 Gospel
KARNmarker 920 Talk
KJBNmarker 1050 Religious
KAAYmarker 1090 Christian
KCONmarker 1230 Adult Contemporary
KPZK 1250 Urban/Hip Hop
KZTDmarker 1350 Bright A/C-Talk
KDXEmarker 1380 Total Sports
KTUVmarker 1440 Gospel


FM radio stations in the Little Rock area include:

Call letters Frequency Format
KABF 88.3 Community radio
KUAR 89.1 News and info
KLRE-FM 90.5 Classical
KANX 91.1 Religious
KUCA 91.3 Classical
KIPR 92.3 Urban/Hip Hop
KASRmarker 92.7 Sports
KKSP 93.3 Rock
KKPT 94.1 Classic Rock
KHKN 94.9 Adult Hits
KSSN 95.7 Country
KHTE-FM 96.5 Top 40
KWLR 96.9 Religious
KURB 98.5 Adult Contemporary
KDIS-FMmarker 99.5 Children's
KDJE 100.3 Active Rock
KZTSmarker 101.1 Urban/Hip Hop
KVLO 101.7 Gospel
KOKY 102.1 Adult R&B
KPZK-FM 102.5 Gospel
KARNmarker 102.9 News and Talk
KABZmarker 103.7 Sports Talk
KMJX 105.1 Country
KOLL 106.3 Adult Contemporary
KHLRmarker 106.7 Gospel
KLAL 107.7 Top 40


Notable people

See also: 'List of people from Little Rock

Music



Miscellaneous facts

Citizens of Little Rock are commonly referred to by the appellation, "Little Rockers." The city is referred to as "Rock Town" or simply "The Rock" by its citizens.

Federal Express was founded in 1971 by Frederick W. Smith in Little Rock, Arkansas, but moved to Memphis, Tennesseemarker in 1973 after Little Rock National Airportmarker officials would not agree to provide facilities for the fledgling airline. The company is now known as FedEx Corporation.

Further reading

  • Greater Little Rock: a contemporary portrait, Letha Mills, 1990
  • The Atlas of Arkansas, Richard M. Smith 1989
  • Cities in the U.S.; The South, Fourth Edition, Volume 1, Linda Schmittroth, 2001
  • Redefining the Color Line: Black Activism in Little Rock, Arkansas, 1940-1970, John A. Kirk, 2002.
  • How We Lived: Little Rock as an American City, Frederick Hampton Roy, 1985


Sister cities



Friendship cities



See also



References

  • Gailiano, Amanda. "Lets Get Historical - Early Arkansas." About.com Cities and Towns 19 April 2006. [691601]
  • City-Data.com. "Average Climate in Little Rock, Arkansas." [691602]


External links

Cultural



Other




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