The US state of Louisiana is located in the southern United States, on the Gulf of Mexico. The US states of Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi border Louisiana. Louisiana is also referred to as – Pelican State – and – Bayou State. Louisiana’s two largest cities are Baton Rouge and New Orleans, both of which have populations in excess of 200,000. Louisiana is shaped by the huge Mississippi Delta. Louisiana has extensive swamp regions with unique flora and fauna.
Medicinelearners: Offers a full list of top medical schools and their profiles in Louisiana.
State Capitol in Baton Rouge on Capitol Lake and Mississippi River
Colonial powers came and went
European conquerors first explored what is now Louisiana in the mid-16th century. Hernando des Soto, a Spaniard, coming from the direction of Florida, traveled through the Mississippi region with his men. It was not until 1681 that the French “de la Salle” carried out further research and explorations in what is now Louisiana. As a result, the French claimed the country for themselves. Around 1700 the French settled there. The country was named Louisiana in honor of the French Sun King, Louis XIV.
The Natchez uprising – with consequences
Of course, Louisiana, located in the southern United States of America, was already inhabited before the French colonized it. The Natchez Native Americans lived there. Fort Rosalie was destroyed during the Natchez Uprising in 1729. The French suffered heavy casualties from the Natchez attacks. The settlement of the region came to a halt as a result, and economic development in the Bayou State took place only slightly.
A good buy of the Thomes Jefferson
Numerous colonial powers from Europe took turns owning the land. At that time, the area of Louisiana stretched far into the Midwest, so it was much larger than it is today. In 1803, US President Thoma Jefferson bought the country from Napoleon for $15 million. The area of Greater Louisiana was subsequently divided into different districts.
Highway US 90 – Bridge in the Louisiana marshlands
Once a slave state
It was not until the 19th century that Louisiana’s economic activities began to gain momentum. The country on the Gulf of Mexico developed enormously thanks to large cotton plantations that were used by slaves from Africa. In the American Civil War (1861-1865), Louisiana, part of the southern states, fought on the side of the Confederates, the slave-owning states.
Warm and humid marshland
Before the arrival of the “whites” the swamps were much larger; Large areas were drained for agriculture purposes. Along with tourism, agriculture is still the country’s most important source of economic income today. In the 20th century, large deposits of natural gas and oil were found in and around Louisiana. The country in the southern United States has now become the second largest producer of fossil fuels in the United States.
Saint Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, New Orleans
Baton Rouge and New Orleans
The capital of the Southern States Louisiana is Baton Rouge. The most famous city in Louisiana is undoubtedly New Orleans, located on the south coast of Louisiana. In 2005, large parts of New Orleans were destroyed during a hurricane (Katrina). To date, the poorer neighborhoods of New Orleans have not been able to be rebuilt due to lack of funds.
Attractions in Louisiana
Museum of Art – New Orleans
State Capitol
Atchafalaya Basin
Breaks Interstate Park
Saint Louis Cemetery
Tiger Stadium
Cajundome
Delta Queenn – paddle steamer
Aquarium of the Americas
Lake Pontchartrain
City Park – New Orleans
Frenchmen Street – New Orleans
Royal Street – New Orleans
Jackson Square – New Orleans
Vermilionville – Museum Village
Kentucky Museum – Bowling Green
Lake Martin Rookary
Pedestrain Bridge
Big Cities in Louisiana
New Orleans
Baton Rouge
Shreveport
Lafayette
Lake Charles
See Countryaah for more cities in the state of Louisiana.
Louisiana map
Map of Louisiana in USA. Louisiana is located on the southern coast of the United States on the Gulf of Mexico. The map shows the neighboring countries, the country’s largest cities, rivers, lakes, highways and the course of the most important roads and transport links. The area of Louisiana in the southern states is 134,264 km². Baton Rouge is the capital of the US state of Louisiana. About 4.7 million people live in Louisiana as of 2019. On the Gulf of Mexico, the country has a diverse coastline with numerous small islands.
New Orleans in Louisiana – United States
Music City on the Mississippi
New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana and is located south of Lake Pontchartrain. The city possesses a major port on the Mississippi River, which soon empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Due to its proximity to the sea, the Port of New Orleans is one of the country’s major industrial centers. Proximity to the water has often been New Orleans’ undoing. The city is in the preferred direction of travel for hurricanes.
Colorful variety and hustle and bustle – Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans
New Orleans in the eye of the hurricane
Hurricanes gain energy over the warm Atlantic and then head toward the American mainland, often toward New Orleans.
In addition to the storm damage, there have often been floods in the region in the past, as the storm “pushed” the water from the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi Delta inland. Most recently, in 2005, “Hurricane Katrina” caused great damage in New Orleans. Large parts of the city were under water.
Paddle steamer on the Mississippi, anchored in New Orleans
City in the swamps
Music plays an important role in New Orleans. It’s not for nothing that the city is called the ” cradle of jazz ” in the southern states. About 340,000 people live in the city on the Mississippi. Around 1.4 million people live in the extended metropolitan area around the city. The city in the swamps was once founded by settlers from France, who placed their buildings on a hill. The area now called the ” French Quarter ” is New Orleans’ most popular tourist attraction.
Jazz band gives outdoor concert on Bourbon Street
French Quarter and Mardi Gras
Annually at the time of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the loud and colorful Mardi Gras parade takes place in the French Quarter. Other parades also take place in the city, but the one in the French Quarter is the most famous. Many visitors come to New Orleans during Mardi Gras to enjoy and join in the celebrations. Mardi Gras parades have been taking place since 1857. Other attractions include New Orleans’ scenic streetcars.
