Louisiana State Geography

So you want to know about Louisiana? Here are some highlights! Also check out the links to other sites about Liousiana.

Key Facts

Population (1994): 4,315,000 (21st in size)

State size: 47,752 square miles (31st in size)

State Capital: Baton Rouge (named from the French word "Baton Rouge" meaning "Red Post" which was used to mark the boundary between hunting grounds of two native tribes)

Major cities: Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans and Shreveport

Admission to union: The 18th State

Date entered the union: April 30, 1812

Origin of state name: Named after Louis XIV, King of France

Nicknames: The Pelican State

Bordering states: Mississippi, Texas and Arkansas with the Gulf of Mexico on the South

State bird: Eastern Brown Pelican

State flower: Magnolia

State tree: Bald Cypress

Motto: Union, Justice and Confidence

Geographic Landmarks

Top of Page

New Orleans and its 24 hour a day, party atmosphere attracts many tourists each year.

Major Industries

Top of Page

Louisiana is largely an agricultural state with soybeans, cotton, sugarcane, rice, corn and timber playing a major role. Natural resources include oil.

Historical Highlights

Top of Page

Initially explored by the Spanish. Claimed by the French, but later given back to Spain. The U.S. acquired Louisiana as part of the Louisiana Purchase.