Who first settled in Arkansas?

The first known inhabitants of Arkansas were Native American tribes, including the Osage, Quapaw, and Caddo, who lived in the region for thousands of years before European exploration. The area was later explored by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, with Hernando de Soto being one of the first Europeans to document the region in 1541. French settlers began arriving in the early 18th century, establishing trading posts and settlements, which laid the groundwork for future colonization. The territory eventually became part of the United States after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.