Louisiana is a state located in the south of the United States. One April 30, 1812, it became the eighteenth state of the country. The capital of the state is Baton Rouge and the largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is bordered to the west by the state of Texas, the east by the state of Mississippi, the north by Arkansas and the south by the Gulf of Mexico. Its major rivers are the Mississippi River, Red River, Sabine River, Ouachita River and Atchafalaya River, The state’s major lakes are the Calcasieu Lake, Catahoula Lake, Grand Lake, Lake Maurepas, Lake Pontchartrain, Toledo Bend Reservoir and White Lake. The state of Iowa received its name in 1682 when the French explorer Robert Cavalier de La Salle named the state Louisiana to honor France’s King Louis XIV. Louisiana is the only state divided into parishes; the largest by population is Jefferson Parish, while the largest land area is Cameron Parish.
Louisiana’s state flower is the Magnolia Blossom, and its state bird is the Eastern Brown Pelican. The state’s official flag was adopted in the year 1912. The flag features a blue background to represent truth, and a white pelican mother feeding her three baby chicks in a nest. This pelican is symbolic as it represents the state as one that protects its people and its land. Below the pelican is a ribbon, which reads ‘Union, Justice and Confidence’.
Louisiana has a very interesting history. Originally, Native Americans inhabited the state, however, in 1541 Hernando de Scoto claimed it for the Spanish. Since that time, Louisiana has been governed by 10 different flags including, the Union Jack of Great Britain, the Tricolor of Napoleon, and the Unites States.
The French colony of Louisiana originally claimed all the land on both sides of the Mississippi River and the north territory of Canada. However, not long after the 1720’s, France surrendered most of its territory to the east of the Mississippi River to Great Britain.
In 1803, Thomas Jefferson, the President of the United States negotiated the Louisiana Purchase with Napoleon. Over some time, Jefferson created 13 states out of the one state of Louisiana. The states Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin were all states that were once part of Louisiana.
The fertile land of Louisiana allowed the state to grow indigo, tobacco, sugar cane and cotton rose. As the demand for these products increased, Louisiana became one of the richest states in the U.S. The wealth of the state increased with the discovery of oil in 1901. Louisiana became a major producer of oil and it still maintains this status today. Some other major industries in which the state is involved are salt production, oil and natural gas, agriculture of rice, cotton and soybeans and fishing, especially fishing shellfish.
Louisiana is also the home to diverse communities of people. A few of the original Indian inhabitants still reside in the land, as well as the descendants of some of the European settlers, including the English, French and Irish. Yugoslavians and Hungarians have also settled the land making a success of oyster harvesting and planters of strawberries respectively. Other inhabitants of the land also include the Cajun and Creole population, African Americans, European Americas, Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans. The population in 2005 was estimated at 4 523 628, and increase of 0.4% from the previous year. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 20,174 people, and migration within the country produced a net loss of 89,547 people.
Some urban environments have strong multicultural heritage due to the influence of a mixture of 18th century French, Spanish and African. The territory had been a French and Spanish colony before the American influx and statehood. The importing of Africans from the same West African region in the 18th century concentrated into the area.
Louisiana has a typically humid subtropical climate. The summers are hot and humid with temperatures averaging at 90ºF. The season is found to be much warmer in the north than in the south, with temperatures reaching about 100ºF. The temperature in the winter however, is mildly warm in the southern part of the state, whereas the north is somewhat cooler with the temperature averaging at 59ºF.
One of the popular cultures in Louisiana is the Cajun Culture. The Cajuns originated from the French province Acadia. In 1755, the British defeated the French and demanded that they renounce their Roman Catholic faith and swear allegiance to the Crown. When the Acadian’s refused, families were separated and evicted from their hometown. Few were able to escape, and the majority of those sought refuge in Louisiana. Here they were renamed Cajun, a derogative language towards them. Cajun music is quite lively. The traditional instruments are the fiddle, accordion and triangle. The culture lavishes food dishes such as Jumbalaya, turtle sauce piquante, soft-shelled crab, crawfish bisque and many other dishes.
The state's nickname ‘Sportsman’s Paradise’ is definitely lived up to through the popular outdoor activities that are available. There’s plenty of hunting, fishing, hiking and biking trails and golf courses. Louisiana operates a system of 20 state parks, 16 historic sites, and one state preservation area. It is also the home of the High Delta Safari Park. Louisiana’s state Parks and historic sites boast the state’s natural beauty and historical riches. At these sites you have the opportunity to enjoy fishing, relive a civil war battle and listen Louisiana’s country music. Louisiana’s state museum is located in New Orleans. The heritage site houses many artifacts and art works, which reflect the historical legacy of Louisiana.
Source:
Wikipedia
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