Louisiana State is located in the southern region of the United States. Although most states in the US are divided into counties or cities, Louisiana has divided the state into parishes, which are local governments similar to the concept of counties. Louisiana was influenced by French, Spanish and African cultures.
Louisiana was named after Louis XIV, King of France. The geography of the land includes low swamp lands, coastal marshes, prairies, woodlands, beaches and barrier islands and the Mississippi river which flows through the state and empties into the Gulf of Mexico.
The capital city of Louisiana, also known as the “Pelican State” is Baton Rouge and it is also the largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana has a humid subtropical climate with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Southern Louisiana receives more rainfall than the rest of the state and the summers are hotter in the northern areas of the state.
One major factor in the climate of this region is the effect of tropical hurricanes and thunderstorms which seem to form in the warm Caribbean waters and rush into the gulf regions and then inundate the state with rainfall for days. Louisiana gets over 25 tornadoes a year. However, despite all of these weather warnings, Louisiana is a wonderful place to visit any time of the year.
Louisiana is known for its rich history of Native American, African, Spanish and French cultures. The result of this fusion of cultures can be grasped when we see the exciting music, dance, food and architecture of this state.
The Belle of Baton Rouge is a riverboat that is docked on the Mississippi river (103 France Street – LA 70802). In the USA, gambling is prohibited except in certain spots inland. Most of the gambling is done on riverboats since they are not on “land”. For the gambler in you, try a bit of gaming, Blackjack, roulette, craps and video poker. Slot machines are available for those not-so brave souls who can start gambling with pennies instead of dollar amounts. Parking and drinks are complimentary.
Baton Rouge visitors can gaze at the forests and swampland if they visit the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center (10503 N Oak Hills Pkwy – LA 70810). Breathtaking sights perfect for memorable photos and 101 acres of local wild flowers and trees are included in this attraction. Nature trails allow the traveler to enjoy the magnificence of nature along with rare sightings of animals including alligators, various species of birds and butterflies, foxes, etc.
Louisiana Art and Science museum (100 S River Road – LA 70802) is an interesting and well laid out museum in a remarkable depot along the Mississippi river. Children will have a great time in this place with interactive galleries which teach the wonders of space discovery, the treasures of ancient Egypt and the mysteries of art as well as the sciences. There is also a planetarium which offers films on the creation of the Universe, complete with workshops and lectures for those interested in the world around us.
New Orleans has been known for its Mardi Gras, New Year’s party, Jazz, Cajun and Creole food, and it’s French Quarters. Knows as the “Big Easy”, New Orleans offers incredible antebellum homes, private gardens, old Street cars and the bayou.
Every year, people flock to French Quarter in New Orleans for its Mardi Gras festivities including jazz music, endless parades, and restaurants with scintillating food from the Cajun and Creole cultures. Sumptuous feasts with mouthwatering dishes such as étouffée, gumbo, pralines and jambalaya leave the visitor wanting for more. 25 million visitors come to this corner of the Earth every year.
