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Travel & Geography > The States & Territories
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The Regions of the United States | Facts & Statistics

Louisiana, the "Pelican State"
Abbreviation:
LA

Louisiana Flag
State Flag
Louisiana Seal
State Seal

Louisiana, named in honor of the French King Louis XIV, has a colorful history. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson negotiated the Louisiana Purchase with Napoleon. It was admitted to the Union as the 18th state in 1812. A strong French influence is still evident throughout the state. Situated in the Deep South, Louisiana lies where the mighty Mississippi empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Water routes link the state with both the heart of America and lands across the sea. The life of Louisiana is based on a mixture of many peoples, cultures and customs. Tourists visit New Orleans for the city's festive Mardi Gras, the old French Quarter and the city's jazz clubs. Other attractions include Acadiana, the homeland of the Cajuns, and magnificent old plantation homes.

Louisiana, benannt zu Ehren des französischen Königs Louis XIV, hat eine bewegte Geschichte. 1803 kaufte Präsident Thomas Jefferson das Gebiet von Napoleon I. 1812 wurde es der 18. Bundesstaat. Nach wie vor ist aber ein starker französischer Einfluss im ganzen Staat erkennbar. Im Süden gelegen, befindet sich Lo
uisiana im Mündungsgebiet des mächtigen Mississippi am Golf von Mexiko. Wasserwege verbinden den Bundesstaat sowohl mit dem Herzen Amerikas, als auch mit den Ländern jenseits des Meeres. Das Leben in Louisiana ist geprägt durch eine Mischung von vielen Völkern, Kulturen und Gebräuchen. Besucher kommen nach New Orleans, um das bunte, fastnachtliche Mardi Gras-Fest zu erleben, wegen des Französischen Viertels und der vielen Jazz Clubs der Stadt. Zu weiteren Anziehungspunkten des Bundesstaates gehören Acadiana, die Heimat der Cajuns, und prächtige alte Plantagenhäuser.

GOVERNMENT
Capital:
Baton Rouge
Governor: Kathleen Bibaneaux Blanco (to Jan. 2008)
Senators: David Vitter, R (to Jan. 2011); Mary Landrieu, D (to Jan. 2015)
House of Representatives: 7 districts | Search by zip code

STATISTICS
Population (July 2005):
4,524,000; National Rank: 24; Percent change since April 2000: 1.2%
Land Area: 43,566 sq mi. (112,836 sq km); National Rank: 31

10 largest cities (2005 est):
New Orleans, 454,863; Baton Rouge, 222,064; Shreveport, 198,874; Lafayette, 112,030; Lake Charles, 70,555; Kenner, 69,911; Bossier City, 60,505; Monroe, 51,914; Alexandria, 45,693; New Iberia, 32,495

ECONOMY
Total Gross State Product 2005 prel. (billions of dollars): 166.3
Per Capita Personal Income 2005: $24,820; National Rank: 50
State Exports 2005 (millions of dollars): $19,232; National Rank: 15
Agriculture:
Seafood, cotton, soybeans, cattle, sugarcane, poultry and eggs ,dairy products, rice.
Industry: Chemical products, petroleum and coal products, food processing, transportation equipment, paper products, tourism.

Government
·
State of Louisiana Official Homepage
· Project VoteSmart
·
State and Local Government on the Internet

Statistics
· Louisiana Profile - Fedstats
· U.S. Census Bureau: 2000 Data for the State of Louisiana
· U.S. Census Bureau: State Data Centers: Louisiana

Economy
· Louisiana - Regional Accounts Data

Background
· 50States.com
·
InfoPlease
· Wikipedia.de: Louisiana

 

Travel
·
State of Louisiana: Office of Tourism
· Louisiana Office of State Parks
·
Map
(Mapquest)

For High School Students
·
Explore the States
· Stately Knowledge (The Internet Public Library)
· State Report: Louisana

Teacher Resources
·
ProTeacher: Lessons by State: Louisiana
· Teaching American History in Louisiana

Link Lists
· Louisiana (Google)
·
Louisiana (Yahoo)
· GovEngine.com: Federal, State & Local Government Site

 
Texts are abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.
 
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Updated: January 2015