Basic Information
Louisiana, located in the Southern United States, is known for its rich cultural heritage, unique cuisine, and vibrant music scene.
Capital
- Baton Rouge
Largest City
- New Orleans
Area
- 52,378 sq mi
Population
- 4.65 million (2020)
Demographics
Louisiana has a diverse population with significant African American and French Creole influences.
Ethnic Composition
- White:62.3%
- African American:32.8%
- Hispanic:6.9%
- Asian:1.7%
Languages
- English:92.4%
- Spanish:3.5%
- French/Creole:2.5%
- Other Languages:1.6%
Age Distribution
- Under 18:23.3%
- 18-64:61.2%
- 65+:15.5%
Population Growth
- Annual Rate:-0.1%
- Natural Increase:10,000
- Migration:-15,000
Economy
Louisiana's economy is driven by oil and gas, tourism, and agriculture, with a significant presence in the shipping industry.
GDP
- $251 billion (2022)
Major Industries
- Oil and Gas
- Tourism
- Agriculture (seafood, sugarcane)
- Shipping
Employment Rate
- Employed:94.8%
- Unemployment:5.2%
Major Companies
- Entergy
- CenturyLink
- LHC Group
- Ochsner Health System
Climate
Louisiana has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters, and is susceptible to hurricanes.
Summer
- Avg. Summer:92°F
- Avg. Winter:50°F
- Rainfall:60 inches/year
Winter
- Avg. Summer:92°F
- Avg. Winter:50°F
- Rainfall:60 inches/year
Spring/Fall
- Avg. Temp Range:65-80°F
- High humidity
Visiting Louisiana
Louisiana offers a unique cultural experience with its rich history, vibrant festivals, and distinctive cuisine.
Best Time to Visit
- Spring/Fall:Mild weather, festivals
- Winter:New Orleans holiday events
- Peak Season:Spring (Mardi Gras)
Transportation
- Major Airports:Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
- Train Routes:Amtrak City of New Orleans
- Highway System:Interstate 10, Interstate 20
Accommodation
- Hotels:Varied options in major cities
- Camping Sites:State parks and private campgrounds
- Average Hotel Rate:$130/night
Tourist Information
- Visitor Centers:Louisiana Travel
- Tourism Website:Louisiana Travel
- Info Hotline:1-800-673-5727
Popular Attractions
Louisiana's attractions include natural landmarks, historical sites, and cultural venues.
Natural Landmarks
- Swamp Tours
- Atchafalaya Basin
- Lake Pontchartrain
- Kisatchie National Forest
Historical Sites
- French Quarter
- Plantation Country
- Chalmette Battlefield
- Oak Alley Plantation
Cultural Sites
- Mardi Gras
- National WWII Museum
- New Orleans Jazz Museum
- Cajun and Creole cultural centers
Entertainment Venues
- Frenchmen Street (New Orleans)
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
- Various local festivals
History
Louisiana's history is marked by French and Spanish colonization, the Louisiana Purchase, and its unique cultural development.
Early History
- Native Peoples:Thousands of years
- French Colonization:1682
- Spanish Rule:1762-1803
19th Century
- Louisiana Purchase:1803
- Statehood:1812
- Plantation Economy
20th Century
- Oil and Gas Industry
- Civil Rights Movement
- Cultural Renaissance
Recent History
- Hurricane Katrina Impact
- Economic Diversification
- Cultural Preservation
State Symbols
Louisiana has adopted various official state symbols that reflect its unique culture and natural beauty.
State Animals
-
State Bird:Brown Pelican
-
State Mammal:Louisiana Black Bear
-
State Reptile:Alligator
-
State Fish:White Perch
State Plants
-
State Flower:Magnolia
-
State Tree:Bald Cypress
Cultural Symbols
-
State Colors:Blue, White, and Gold
-
State Song:"Give Me Louisiana"
-
State Motto:"Union, Justice, and Confidence"
Other Symbols
-
State Crustacean:Crawfish
-
State Dog:Catahoula Leopard Dog
State Facts
Interesting and unique facts about Louisiana that highlight its distinctive character and achievements.
Geographic Facts
-
Lowest Point:New Orleans (-8 ft)
-
Longest River:Mississippi River
-
Largest Lake:Lake Pontchartrain
Records & Rankings
- Home to Mardi Gras
- Major seafood producer
- Significant French and Spanish influence
Notable Firsts
- First opera in the US (New Orleans)
- First cotton gin in the US
Unique Features
- Cajun and Creole culture
- Swamp and bayou landscapes
Government & Politics
Louisiana has a representative government with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.
Governor
- John Bel Edwards (as of 2021)
Legislature
- Bicameral:State Senate and State House of Representatives
Political Trends
- Historically Democratic, with recent shifts
Key Political Issues
- Oil and Gas Industry
- Coastal Erosion
- Education
- Healthcare
Time Zones
Louisiana observes Central Time Zone (CT), with daylight saving time.
Standard Time
- Central Standard Time (CST, UTC -6)
Daylight Saving
- Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC -5)
Education
Louisiana has a diverse education system, including K-12 schools and universities.
Major Public Systems
- Louisiana State University (LSU)
- University of Louisiana System
- Southern University System
- Community Colleges
Notable Private Institutions
- Tulane University
- Loyola University New Orleans
K-12 System
- Varied performance across districts
Key Educational Initiatives
- Early childhood education
- College readiness programs
- Workforce training
Culture & Festivals
Louisiana's culture is rich with French and Spanish influences, celebrated through various festivals and events.
Major Festivals
- Mardi Gras
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
- French Quarter Festival
- Festival International de Louisiane
Music & Arts
- Jazz, blues, and zydeco music
- Local art galleries and museums
Regional Traditions
- Cajun and Creole cuisine
- Swamp and bayou tours
Sports & Teams
Louisiana has a strong sports culture, particularly football and basketball.
Professional Teams
- New Orleans Saints (NFL)
- New Orleans Pelicans (NBA)
College Sports
- LSU Tigers
- Tulane Green Wave
Notable Sporting Events
- Various college football games
- Local fishing tournaments
Cuisine & Local Specialties
Louisiana cuisine is famous for its Cajun and Creole flavors, with seafood and rice dishes featuring prominently.
Signature Dishes
- Gumbo
- Jambalaya
- Crawfish Étouffée
- Po'boys
Agricultural Products
- Seafood
- Sugarcane
- Rice
- Pecans
Local Markets
- French Market (New Orleans)
- Various seafood markets
Infrastructure
Louisiana's infrastructure supports its oil and gas, shipping, and tourism industries, with extensive river ports and transportation networks.
Highway System
- Interstate 10, Interstate 20, and other major highways
Public Transportation
- Limited public transit in smaller cities
- Amtrak service
Major Airports
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
- Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport
River Transportation
- Mississippi River ports
- Port of New Orleans
Energy & Utilities
- Oil and natural gas infrastructure
Notable Historical Figures
Louisiana has produced notable figures in various fields, from music to literature.
Musicians
- Louis Armstrong (jazz musician)
- Fats Domino (rock and roll pioneer)
Authors
- Tennessee Williams (playwright)
- Kate Chopin (novelist)
Politicians
- Huey Long (governor and senator)
State Government Services
Louisiana provides various public services through its state agencies and departments.
Health Services
- Medicaid, Louisiana Department of Health
Social Services
- Department of Children and Family Services programs
Environmental Agencies
- Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
Transportation
- Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
Key Historical Documents & Landmarks
Louisiana's history is preserved in its state archives and historical sites.
State Constitution
- Original 1812 Constitution
Historical Sites
- French Quarter
- Plantation Country
Archival Repositories
- Louisiana State Museum
Environmental Initiatives
Louisiana is focused on coastal restoration and addressing the impacts of climate change.
Coastal Restoration
- Efforts to combat coastal erosion
Hurricane Preparedness
- Emergency management plans
Renewable Energy
- Growing solar and wind energy production
Environmental Protection
- Regulations to protect natural resources
Major Events & Conferences
Louisiana hosts various events and conferences, including the world-famous Mardi Gras and jazz festivals.
Cultural Events
- Mardi Gras
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Music Festivals
- French Quarter Festival
- Essence Festival
Business Conferences
- Various industry-specific events
Sports Events
- NFL and NBA games