King of the Road: Next Stop Is Arkansas Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. We start off in the northern part of Arkansas in the first geographical division. We are driving past springs, waterfalls, forests, and majestic landforms. What mountain range are we in?

Answer: The Ozarks

The Ozark Mountain Range (or Ozark Plateau) extend across five states with the majority falling in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. It holds the Ozark National Forest with over a million acres of land. Some of the peaks in the range exceed 2,000 feet tall.

There are also multiple karstic landforms, or sinks, where water has passed through soluble rocks such as limestone or gypsum. The region has a cool and temperate climate.

2. While we are driving through the mountains, we run across Bentonville, Arkansas. This little town is the birthplace of a huge worldwide retail chain. What is it?

Answer: Walmart

Bentonville was incorporated in 1873 and grew quickly as its apple production brought in farmers and distributors. Tourism also aided the town as it was in the foothills of the mountains and had a wide art and craft following. In May of 1950, Sam Walton opened Walton's 5 and 10 store in the town square. That has grown into the giant retail chain Walmart.

3. We head south from the northern mountains to the second geographical division. We find ourselves in the central and western part of the state in the Arkansas River Valley. This valley, up to forty miles wide, also contains the highest peak in the state that people climb "periodically". What is this?

Answer: Mount Magazine

The Arkansas Valley, nestled between two mountain ranges, houses the flowing Arkansas River and its tributaries. Bottomlands are found here as well as mountains and mesas such as Mount Magazine. This peak is the highest point in Arkansas at over 2,700 feet.

The fertile lands around it provide for a variety of crops, including grapes. This, in turn, is why part of the area is considered wine country. Many of the largest cities in the state are found in this valley.

4. While we are driving through this Arkansas Valley, we stop at the state's capital. What is this city, that is associated with former President Bill Clinton, school desegregation, and General MacArthur?

Answer: Little Rock

The city is named after a small rock edging the Arkansas River. It was called "la petite roche" (the little rock) by the French explorer Jean Baptiste Bernard. Little Rock is often associated with former American President Bill Clinton who went on to become the 42nd President after his tenure of Arkansas governor.

The Central High School in the city is well known as the 1957 site where nine black students took a risk of enrolling in the segregated school and helped bring focus to the ongoing discrimination.

The city boasts museums (including MacArthur Museum named in honor of the general born in Little Rock), art galleries, historical sites, and plentiful corporations.

5. We head east from the Arkansas Valley over to the third geographic division known as Crowley's Ridge. This 200 mile ridge is known for its natural vegetation. True or False: Types of vegetation found here include those from a steppe area such as grasses, shrubs, and low trees.

Answer: False

Crowley's Ridge is an ancient island formed by long-ago paths of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. It runs 200 miles from Missouri through Arkansas. It is 150 feet high and 12 miles across at its widest. It contains a lush forest mix which includes not only oak and hickory but uncommon hardwoods such as beech, maple, and poplar. Native Americans used this ridge as a place to go for safety during floods.

A settler, Benjamin Crowley, followed their example in 1821 and the area was named for him.

6. When we drive westward from Crowley's Ridge in Arkansas we come across the fourth geographical division known as the Arkansas Delta. This large alluvial plain was created by sediment deposits from what large river?

Answer: Mississippi River

The Arkansas Delta is also known as the Mississippi Alluvial Plain and is found in the eastern part of the state. The Upper Delta area is bordered by the Mississippi River and is known for its abundant fishing areas. It was the home of both Johnny Cash and Ernest Hemingway.

The Lower Delta area houses many oxbow lakes, formed when a river curves in on itself. This part of the state has been a center of blues music, birdwatching, and art.

7. As we drive through the Arkansas Delta, we see many farms around us. Arkansas is in the top five states in providing a certain grain. What is it?

Answer: Rice

Rice grows extremely well in the rich fertile lands of the delta. Controlled flooding and curved levees aid in its growth cycle. As of 2020, Arkansas was producing more than 9 billions pounds of this grain every year. It is one of the state's highest value commodities and agricultural exports.

The growing and harvesting of rice contributes to the state's finances and provides thousands of jobs.

8. We drive further west from the Arkansas Delta and come across the fifth geographical division. It is a mountain range called the Ouachitas. True or False: They run east to west rather than north to south like the Appalachians or Rockies.

Answer: True

The Ouachita Mountains run east to west for over 200 miles from Arkansas to Oklahoma. Due to their orientation, they have extensive south-facing slopes that are exposed to sunlight and heat and northern slopes that are shaded and cooler. So one side will be covered with pines and the other side with diverse hardwood.

The mountains are composed of layers of sandstone and shale. Hot Springs, Arkansas, with its therapeutic waters, is located in this area of the state.

9. We head south through the state of Arkansas to the sixth geographical division. This is the Coastal Plain. This heavily forested region was once covered by what body of water 50 million years ago?

Answer: Gulf of Mexico

The Coastal Plain, or West Gulf Coastal Plain as it also called, starts near the Oauchita Mountains where it is marked by rapids and waterfalls. As it spreads south, the area is covered with loblolly-shortleaf pine trees which gives this land significance to the forest industry. Surface deposits, from the ancient time when the Gulf of Mexico covered the land, give rise to clay and bauxite mining. Oil deposits are also found here.

10. While we are in the Arkansas Coastal Plain, we stop at a 37 acre field which is the eroded surface of a volcanic crater. This is one of the only places in the world where the public can search for a gemstone in its original source. What is it we hope to find?

Answer: Diamonds

The Crater of Diamonds is part of a 95 million year old eroded volcano that pushed diamonds to the surface. In 1906, a farmer discovered gems and a "diamond rush" ensured. People dug here, off and on, until 1972 when the State of Arkansas bought it and turned it into a park. Since then, for a small fee, people can go to a portion of it and dig for diamonds and other minerals. Over 600 diamonds are found each year by lucky individuals.

Source: Author stephgm67

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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I adopted this quiz about the state of Arkansas. Come join me as we hop in our vehicle and head through the six geographical divisions of the "Natural State". We will have fun along the way, too!
This is a renovated/adopted version of an old quiz by author mh

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King of the Road: Next Stop Is Arkansas Quiz

I adopted this quiz about the state of Arkansas. Come join me as we hop in our vehicle and head through the six geographical divisions of the "Natural State". We will have fun along the way, too! This is a renovated/adopted version of an old quiz by author mh

I adopted this quiz about the state of Arkansas. Come join me as we hop in our vehicle and head through the six geographical divisions of the "Natural State". We will have fun along the way, too!
This is a renovated/adopted version of an old quiz by author mh