Northwest Arkansas abounds with a combination of natural beauty and bustling metropolitan culture. The economic growth, fueled by the booming industrial community of the region, results in an unexpected mix of old and new, natural and urban, agrarian living and refined culture.

Thirty years ago, Springdale was mainly an agricultural town, supported by a booming chicken industry. Today, Springdale not only continues to lead the country's poultry business but also serves as headquarters to other industry leaders, manufacturing various goods from architectural aluminum to vacuum cleaners.

However, industry is not Springdale's only redeeming quality. Many things make this city of 40,000-plus interesting, including the magnificent 256,000-square-foot Harvey and Bernice Jones Center for Families, 70-acre Randall Tyson Sports Complex and cultural sites like the Arts Center of the Ozarks and Shiloh Museum.

Education is also important to Springdale; its private and public schools are well ahead of national standards in academics, music and sports.