Louisiana is a state in the southeastern region of the United States.
It is bordered by Arkansas to the north, Mississippi to the east, Texas to the west, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south.
As of April 2018, the population of Louisiana was estimated to be 4,682,509. It is the 25th most populous state in the United States.
Louisiana is the 26th largest state in the United States in terms of total area with 145,746 square kilometers (145,746 square miles).
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana and its second-largest city. It forms the parish seat of East Baton Rouge Parish and is located on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River.
New Orleans is the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana, and occupies both sides of the Mississippi River. The heart of the city and its French Quarter is on the river’s north side.
Sea level salt marsh stretches along much of Louisiana’s constantly-changing Gulf of Mexico coastline, and inland for up to 40 kilometers (25 miles) in some spots. From there the land gently rises into a wide coastal plain (or prairies) with a few rolling hills to the east and west.
From central Louisiana to its northern border with Arkansas, the landscape of Louisiana elevates very slowly to its highest point (Driskill Mountain) standing at a mere 163 meters (535 feet) above sea level.
Louisiana has 5 national park and 21 state parks.
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve protects significant examples of the rich natural and cultural resources of Louisiana’s Mississippi River Delta region. The park, named after the pirate Jean Lafitte, also interprets the influence of environment and history on the development of the unique Cajun regional culture. The park consists of six physically separate sites and a park headquarters.
The French Quarter, also known as the Vieux Carré (“Old Square”) or Vieux Carré Historic District, is the oldest section of the City of New Orleans. Founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, New Orleans developed around the Vieux Carré, the city’s central square. Today, the district is commonly known as the French Quarter, or simply “the Quarter,” a reflection of the diminished French influence after the Louisiana Purchase.
Jackson Square is a historic park in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960, for its central role in the city’s history, and as the site where in 1803 Louisiana was made United States territory pursuant to the Louisiana Purchase. In 2012 the American Planning Association designated Jackson Square as one of America’s Great Public Spaces.
Oak Alley Plantation is a historic plantation located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, in the community of Vacherie, St. James Parish, Louisiana, U.S. Oak Alley is named for its distinguishing visual feature, an alley (French allée) or canopied path, created by a double row of southern live oak trees about 800 feet (240 meters) long, planted in the early 18th century — long before the present house was built.
Frenchmen Street is in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans. It is best known for the three-block section in the Marigny neighborhood which is home to some of the city’s popular live-music venues including Snug Harbor, the Spotted Cat, and the Maison in addition to restaurants, bars, bookstores, coffee shops, and other businesses.
The biggest event on Louisiana’s annual calendar is the Mardi Gras celebration that takes place in New Orleans. This colorful event is a huge undertaking with a parade, balls, and street celebrations like none other. Mardis Gras is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, but celebrations begin on the weekend leading up to Tuesday.
The National WWII Museum, formerly known as The National D-Day Museum, is a military history museum located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, on Andrew Higgins Drive between Camp Street and Magazine Street. The museum focuses on the contribution made by the United States to Allied victory in World War II. Founded in 2000, it was later designated by the U.S. Congress as America’s official National WWII Museum in 2003.
In 1803, Thomas Jefferson doubled the size of the United States by purchasing the Louisiana Territory—828,000 square miles of land between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains—from France. Louisiana was the first of 13 states, or parts of states, to be carved out of the territory in 1812.
Louisiana was admitted to the union as the 18th state on April 6, 1812.
At 34 stories high and 137 meters (450 feet) tall, the Louisiana State Capitol is the tallest of all state capitol buildings.
The first opera performed in the United States was in 1796 in New Orleans.
Since 1835 the New Orleans & Carrolliton Line is the oldest street railway line still in operation.
Gueydan is known as the “Duck Capital of America” in recognition of its abundance of waterfowl.
Breaux Bridge is known as the “Crawfish Capital of the World.”
Rayne is known as the “The Frog Capital of the World.”