Located in the Deep South region of the United States, Louisiana is the 31st largest size in terms of area and the 25th most populous. Louisiana is the 24th most densely populated state and borders Mississippi, Texas, and Arkansas. The Gulf of Mexico lies off the southern coast of Louisiana, and the Mississippi River runs along the eastern side of the state. Nicknamed 'Bayou State' and 'Creole State', Louisiana is known for its French heritage, with a unique culture based on French roots combined with Spanish, Native American and African influences.
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| Largest City in Louisiana |
The state does not have an official language, with a strong focus on the freedom and multiculturalism that is a big part of the Louisiana way of life. This state covers an area of 52,378.13 square miles and has a total estimated population of 4.68 million. Louisiana's capital city is Baton Rouge, but the state's largest and most well-known city is New Orleans, and Greater New Orleans is the state's largest metropolitan area. Here are some additional details and overviews of the largest cities in Louisiana.
New Orleans
Located on the Mississippi River, New Orleans is an established parish city in the southeastern part of Louisiana. New Orleans is the largest city in the state, with an estimated population of 393,000 and more than 1.2 million living in the surrounding metropolitan area. New Orleans covers an area of 349.85 square miles.
Founded in 1718 and named after Philip II, Duke of Orleans, New Orleans is one of America's most famous cities for its lively party culture, classic cuisine, and special annual festivals. The city is particularly known for its annual Mardi Gras festivities, which attract many visitors to New Orleans each year. New Orleans is also unique in that more than half of the city's area is made up of water, putting the city at risk of storm surge and flooding, as seen in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit the area.
Baton Rouge
Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana and also the largest city in the state. It is situated in the southeastern part of the state and covers a total area of 88.12 square miles. Baton Rouge's estimated population is 227,000, with more than 830,000 people in the entire metropolitan area.
Baton Rouge was founded in 1699 and was incorporated many years later in 1817. The name of this city translates to 'Red Stick' in English, which is one of the nicknames some people use when referring to Baton Rouge. As the capital city of Louisiana, Baton Rouge is a major industrial, educational, and technological center for the state, home to Louisiana State University and Southern University.
Shreveport
Located primarily in Caddo Parish, of which it is the parish seat, Shreveport is the second largest city in the state of Louisiana. This city is located in the northwestern part of the state and covers a total area of 122.35 square miles. Shreveport's total estimated population is 192,000, with over 443,000 in the metropolitan area.
Shreveport was founded in 1836 and named for Captain Henry Miller Shreve, an inventor who helped clear the Red River, as well as the Ohio and Mississippi, for steamboat navigation. The city is the main educational and commercial center of the northwestern part of Louisiana.
Lafayette
Located in the parish of Lafayette on the Vermilion River, Lafayette is the fourth largest city in Louisiana. This city is located in the south central part of the state and covers a total area of 53.91 square miles. Lafayette has an estimated population of 129,000, with more than 490,000 in the metropolitan area.
This city was founded in 1821 and was originally called Vermilionville after the river that runs through it, but was renamed Lafayette in 1884 to honor General Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, a French military commander who played a key role in the Revolution. American. War.
Lake Charles
Located in Calcasieu Parish, Lake Charles is the fifth largest city in the state of Louisiana. It is situated in the southwestern part of the state on the shores of Lake Charles, with Lake Prien and the Calcasieu River also nearby. Lake Charles covers an area of 42.9 square miles, with an estimated population of 76,000.
The city was founded in 1861 and originally named Charleston, but renamed to Lake Charles in 1867. The area is named after Charles Sallier, one of the first settlers to arrive in the area. Lake Charles is a popular tourist spot and a major petrochemical center.