The world would be a lot less fun if we didn’t have the Natural State around. Sure, the other states have their own style, but nobody does it quite like Arkansas. Think of how much everyone would be missing out on if they didn’t have us around – you know there’d be no Johnny Cash without Arkansas, right? That’s not all the world would miss out on though!
10. America will have to look elsewhere to dig for diamonds.
You can't find the Crater of Diamonds anywhere else but in Murfreesboro. Without that charming little town it'd be a lot harder to have a fun quartz dig and potentially get rich by unearthing a valuable gem.
9. It would take a lot longer to transport goods from state to state.
America is full of great trucking companies, but it was in Arkansas where J.B. Hunt Transport Services was founded. One of the largest transportation companies in the country, J.B. Hunt operates a fleet of over 12,000 trucks delivering goods across the US, Canada, and Mexico.
8. There would be no Bad Santa to watch every year.
There'd be no Sling Blade characters to try and imitate either if there were no Billy Bob Thornton, who is just as much a part of Arkansas as any lake, mountain, fellow actor/director, or politician.
7. Somebody's got to be number one.
Well, it's official. According to the latest report on obesity from the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Arkansas ranks first when it comes to obesity. Oh well. There's a reason behind that - the food here is awesome. We'll deal with it in our own way. In the meantime - we're number one!
6. Would anyone know what a razorback was, anyway?
There's no mascot quite like the Arkansas Razorback. No other state celebrates the hog (whether it's on a football field or on a plate) as much as Arkansas. If you mention the word "Razorback" to anyone around the US, ask them which state comes to mind first.
5. The country would be short on a lot of important weaponry.
The U.S. Army Pine Bluff Arsenal supplies specialized production, storage, maintenance, and distribution of readiness products, and delivers technical services to the Armed Forces and Homeland Security. Without the PBA we'd be a little naked when it comes to protecting ourselves against attack.
4. Photographers would have to travel a lot farther for great nature shots.
If you're a shutterbug you don't have to go very far around Arkansas to capture some of the most gorgeous footage on film. Without the Natural State there'd be a lot more wasted travel on going elsewhere when all of nature's glory is right here.
3. There would be no Walmart.
Come on, for all the bad-mouthing a big-box company gets, Arkansas is the home of Walmart. Like it or not, Walmart is still a huge part of American society and people still flock there despite the flack to get their daily, weekly, or monthly needs. Besides, if there wasn't Walmart we'd just have Target to use our corporate frustrations as a...well...target.
2. The 42nd President of the United States would have been a lot less memorable.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Bill_Clinton_closeup_at_dedication_of_WWII_memorial,_May_2004.jpg
Arkansas tends to have a lot of polarizing popular politicians - either you love them or you hate them. Regardless of how you feel about Bill Clinton and his policies...the White House in the '90s would have been a much more boring place. Be real - before Clinton, extramarital affairs in the White House were only implied or obscurely joked about. Bill's romps in the Oval Office got everyone's attention...and made history.
1. Great camping and fishing options in the South would be greatly diminished.
There's a reason why Arkansas has been called the Natural State and the Land of Opportunity - this state is an outdoor person's paradise. It's not strange to see people extend their Arkansas excursions from a mere weekend to a week.
So there you have it! The world would definitely be a lesser place without Arkansas, and thank goodness the Natural State is around for everyone from everywhere to enjoy. What else makes Arkansas so necessary to the world, in your opinion? Sound off in the comments!
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