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Louisiana, US (Population: 4,287,768)
State Capital: Baton Rouge

Major Cities: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Kenner, Bossier City, Monroe, Alexandra, New Iberia

State Nickname/Motto: : The Pelican State / Union, Justice and Confidence

Statehood Granted: April 30, 1812

History: Louisiana was inhabited by over thirty native tribes when it was discovered by Spain's Hernando de Soto. Some hundred-plus years later the area was claimed for France by Robert Cavelier. The US purchased the area from the French as a part of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. The sugar industry flourished in Louisiana, due in part to NewOrlean's location on the Mississippi River. The state was a part of the Confederacy during the civil war and was later re-admitted to the Union. Louisiana also played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement.

Geography: Highest point: Driskill Mountain, 535 ft. Lowest point: New Orleans, 8ft below sea level. The uplands consists of prairies, woodlands and rolling hills while the alluvial areas consist of swamps and coast lands. The principle rivers in the area include the Mississippi River, the Red River and theOuachita River. There are many other navigable waterways in the area, some of which are bayous.

Ethnic Diversity: One Race (98.9%), White (63.7%), Black or African American (32.5%), American Indian and Alaska Native (0.6%), Asian(1.3%), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (0%), Some other race (0.8%), Two or more races (1.1%), Hispanic or Latino (2.8%)*

Famous State People:
  • Louis Amrstrong (1901-1971) Famous (jazz) trumpet player and singer; born in New Orleans
  • Truman Capote (1924-1984) Author best known for Other Voices, Other Rooms and Breakfast at Tiffany's; born in New Orleans
  • Jerry Lee Lewis (1935-) Singer and pianist; born in Ferriday
  • Bryant Gumbel (1848-) Newscaster; born in New Orleans
  • Geoffrey Beene (1785-1851) Fashion designer; born in Haynesville

    Major Colleges/Universities: Louisiana State University at Alexandria/ Eunice/ Shreveport/ Health and Sciences New Orleans, University of New Orleans, University of Louisiana at Monroe/ Lafayette, Tulane University, Centenary College of Louisiana, Dillard University, Louisiana University, St. Joseph Seminary College, Our Lady of the Lake College, Our Lady of the Holy Cross College, Notre Dame Seminary, Southern University and A&M College, Southern University at Shreveport/ New Orleans/ Law Center

    State Parks: Cane River National Heritage Area, Cane River Creole National Historic Park, Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve, New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park, Kitsachie National Forest, Bayou Segnette State park, Lake Bruin State park, Chemin-A-Haut State Park, Lake Claiborn State Park, Chicot State Park, Lake D'Arbonne State Park, Cypremort Point State Park, Lake Fausse Point State Park, Fairview-Riverside State Park, North Toledo Bend State park, Fontainebleau State Park, Poverty Point Reservoir State Park, Grand Isle State Park, St. Bernard State park, Hodges Gardens State Park, Sam Houston Jones State Park, Jimmie Davis State Park, South Toledo Bend State Park, Lake Bistineau State Park, Tickfaw State Park

    Misc: Louisiana is home to the largest and most famous Mardi Gras Celebration in the US, which takes place in New Orleans. Known for it's French-Creole flavor, it is also the only state with a large population of Cajun/ Arcadian people.

    *U.S. Census - 2005