Humans first arrived in what is now Louisiana about 12,000 years ago. Throughout history, this land has been inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Atakapa, Choctaw, Chitimacha, Natchez, and Tunica. In 1541 the explorer Hernando de Soto seized the territory for Spain. Then in 1682 France took over the region. Ownership of the land would transfer between these countries until the United States purchased the territory that would become Louisiana from France in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Louisiana became the 18th state in 1812.
The city of New Orleans was founded in 1718, and just a few years later, many Africans were brought to the city as slaves. The combination of African, French and Spanish influences has given Louisiana, and especially the city of New Orleans, a unique culture. In 1861, during the Civil War, Louisiana left the Union. He joined the United States in 1868. Today, the Chitimacha, Coushatta, Choctaw Yen and Tunica Biloxi tribes still live in this state. Louisiana was named after King Louis XIV when the land was claimed by France in 1862. Louisiana is called the Pelican State because of its state bird.
Geography of Louisiana
According to itypetravel.com, Louisiana is bordered by Arkansas to the north, Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Texas to the west. The state can be divided into three geographical regions. The East Gulf Coastal Plain is a lowland area east of the Mississippi River. Marshy near the river and hilly in the north. The Mississippi Alluvial Plain runs west of the Mississippi River from Arkansas in the north to the Gulf of Mexico. Ridges topped with fields called hillocks run along the river, while fields called ridges (with very fertile silt and clay) recede to the side. Wetlands cover the southern coastline. The farthest west is the West Bay Coastal Plain, which runs from Arkansas to the southernmost part of the state. Louisiana’s highest point, Mount Driskill, is located in the northern part of this region. Heading south, the land slopes down, becoming prairies, then swamps, and eventually sandy islands that border the coastline and are called barrier beaches.
Wildlife of Louisiana
Coyotes, American beavers, muskrats, and marsh rabbits are some of Louisiana’s mammals. The state’s most famous reptile may be the American alligator. But the area is also home to alligator snapping turtles, real estate developers called Louisiana pine snakes, and venomous coral harlequin snakes. Bright pink roseate spoonbills, yellow-crowned night herons, Louisiana waterthrushes, and purple gallinules are among many Louisiana birds. Southern toads, crayfish frogs, and Louisiana slime salamanders are some of the state’s amphibians. Pecan, snapper hickory, magnolia, live oak, and bald cypress (the state tree) are some of Louisiana’s most common trees. Plants and flowers that grow in Louisiana include the little brown pitcher, the American peanut, and the sensitive pea partridge.
NEW ORLEANS
Population: 343.829 thousand people (2010)
Area: 907.0 sq. km
New Orleans is one of the oldest cities in the United States of America. The city is located in Louisiana. The history of the city has more than three centuries. Founded by the Spaniards, later captured by the French. And with the end of the colonial war in 1763, it again passed into Spanish possession. But at the beginning of the 19th century, the city was sold to the United States, which became a new stage in the development of New Orleans. Economic growth began, the population of the city almost doubled. The city becomes the trade center of the country, which is largely facilitated by the port built by the French. The Port of New Orleans is still one of the busiest ports in the world. Significantly facilitates the arrival in this part of the country International Airport, located in the suburbs. See Louisiana cities.
Among the attractions of the city, we recommend visiting the Audubon Zoo. A special place among the inhabitants of the zoo is occupied by white tigers and rare white alligators. In the aquarium, located in the zoo, you can watch white sharks in their natural environment on a huge screen for a fee.
A favorite place of rest for citizens and guests of the city is a huge city park. The park presents unique objects of the Louisianan flora – huge oak trees entwined with white weeping mosses. The park houses the Museum of Art. The museum’s collection includes works by contemporary artists and ancient artifacts. There are several works by Edgar Degas, who lived in New Orleans for about a year, and works by Pablo Picasso. The last exhibits of the museum are devoted to a recent event – the hurricane Katrina that took place at the end of August 2005, which claimed the lives of about one and a half thousand people.
There are many jazz clubs in the city. After all, New Orleans is considered the birthplace of jazz. In one of them – jazz club Fritzels, you will spend an unforgettable evening with real jazz performers.
You can also take a boat trip down the Mississippi and get great views of the coastline.
Fans of French cuisine are recommended to visit the French Quarter and enjoy specialties. A local attraction is located on Bourbon Street, Galatoir’s Restaurant, which serves Creole cuisine. And in one of the oldest bars in the city, the Acme Oyster House oyster bar offers fresh or grilled oysters.
Among the sights of the city, we recommend visiting the bridge on Lake Pontchartrain, the Louisiana Children’s Museum. The main architectural object of the city is the Cemetery of Saint-Loup, about the history of which you can hear many stories.
Every year, up to 10 million tourists come to the city. It offers comfortable hotels, restaurants, bars, music clubs, shops, a large number of which are located on the main street of New Orleans – Bourbon Street.
Interesting architecture of the city, music, annual celebrations of Mardi Gras, the Mississippi River, which cuts through the entire city, Lake Portchartrain – all this has made New Orleans a world-famous tourist center.
SHREVEPORT
Population: 198.750 thousand people (2004)
Area: 305.1 sq. km
Founded: 1836
Time zone: UTC-6, summer UTC-5
Altitude: 57 m
On the right bank of the Red River lies the city of Shreveport. Known as the financial center of the Arc-La-Tech area, which includes the border areas of the three states – Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. The settlement received its toponym in honor of the inventor and captain Henry Shreve. In everyday life, the city is called the “Gateway to Texas”. Opposite it, on the opposite bank of the river, is Bossier City. In fact, it is part of Shreveport, next to which is Cross Lake. The area is dominated by a humid subtropical climate. Frequent rains and positive daytime temperatures are typical for any season. In winter, it drops to an average of 10 degrees, the rest of the time, in summer and in the off-season, it exceeds 20 degrees.
The basis of the local economy is industrial enterprises, numerous casinos, educational and medical centers. A branch of Louisiana State University has been opened in the city. Shrifport is connected with other settlements by land and air transport. The railway junction is mainly engaged in cargo transportation. The intercity bus station serves routes in different directions. Among the townspeople there are African Americans, Europeans, Hispanics and a small number of people from Asian countries. A small percentage of permanent residents is the Russian-speaking population. These are mainly graduate students, students, researchers.
In the 1970s, the city was a trade and transport hub of the agrarian and oil region. In the region, various crops were grown on extensive plantations, where cotton played a dominant role. The area was used for extraction and processing of natural gas and oil. Woodworking and food industry enterprises worked in the city. Feature films are often filmed in contemporary Shreveport. In addition to well-known artists, townspeople and even tourists often participate in the filming. The most popular holiday destinations are local beaches on the lake coast. Calm waters and a gentle entrance ensure safe swimming and thus attract couples with children.
