This document provides an overview of Arkansas history, including that the state was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes. It became a U.S. territory in 1819 and state in 1836, growing to a population of 435,000 by 1860. Arkansas has since developed its economy in areas like farming, lumber, manufacturing and tourism. The origin of the state's name comes from Native American words, though its spelling and pronunciation were a point of debate in the early statehood period.