[mdawg]

i was reading something and it said that arkansas is considered "southern". When i think of Arkansas i really dont think of southern hospitality, and other things people associate with the south, it seems to me Arkansas would fit in with the plains states, anyways, just thought id bring that up...anyone have any input???

[arguy1973]

arkansas is southern, without a doubt.

[btoverdrive]

arguy1973, I see you show Crowleys Ridge as home. I lived in Wynne from 1976 to 1980 and enjoyed some of the best peaches I have ever eaten while living there and most of the orchards were on the ridge. I hope they still grow them as I'll be passing through Wynne in about two weeks and would like to get some.

[arguy1973]

Originally Posted by btoverdrive

arguy1973, I see you show Crowleys Ridge as home. I lived in Wynne from 1976 to 1980 and enjoyed some of the best peaches I have ever eaten while living there and most of the orchards were on the ridge. I hope they still grow them as I'll be passing through Wynne in about two weeks and would like to get some.

IDk about Wynne, its been awhile since Ive been thru there, Leachville has good peaches..try Swihart orchards if your close to there. I do live on the ridge but further north than Wynne..about an hour.

[Marat]

Have you been to Arkansas? It is very southern.

[brucep]

I think Arkansas is a state where several "regions" blend. I would say that the lower half, especially the Southeastern corner has a definite southern feel; the upper half, especially the Northwest corner is more midwestern in feel; and the Southwestern corner has wafts of both southern and southwestern. Spend a week in McGehee, a week in Texarkana, and a week in Fayetteville and I think you'll feel the regional differences.

[boulder]

The Northwest Corner of the state is not as “southern” as the rest of the state in terms of population or deep rooted southern culture.

Fayetteville has a large population of university students and professors who move here from other states and countries along with a population of Wal-Mart suppliers. Springdale and Rogers have large Hispanic populations and Springdale has the largest population of Marshallese Islands people outside of the islands. Bentonville is mostly job transplants working for Wal-Mart or Wal-Mart suppliers usually coming from East or West coast states or internationally. Bella Vista is mostly retirees and in driving through Bella Vista you can see every state represented on license plates.

It's this mix of people and cultures that makes NWA feel different than the rest of the state - - that and the strong economy in Benton and Washington counties.

[DFWMike]

Yep, Northwest Arkansas feels more like Missouri/Oklahoman to me, But once you start heading down towards the river valley and Mena, the southern hits you pretty quick. Most of Arkansas is textbook southern, which isn't a bad thing, I love going over there and experiencing the hospitality. Little Rock is a southern city without a doubt, but I think most visitors would be fairly suprised by how progressive the city is. A little caveat there, because some of the burbs go backwoods quick, but Little Rock is a fairly cultural little city.

[JamesinLittleRock]

Little Rock has quite a bit of culture for its size, always something to do here. of course there is also the rampant crime, but my rule is just don't go where it happens and things are usually fine.

[nmnita]

geographically Arkansas is a southern state. Like Va and maybe a few other states, it you go to the northern most parts of the state is will appear to ba something other than southern. NO VA is more mid Atlanticl and attracts many people from other parts of the country, working for the government in DC. NWA, as mentioned has a large population of people connected to the university or working for Wal Mart, again, from many parts of the USA, plus it is on the MO state line, thus some think of it as mid west more than southern. It is still the south as is the rest of the state.

My contribution to the geography lesson as taught to me in 5th grade about 250 years ago.

Nita