Louisiana | History, Map, Population, Cities, & Facts

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Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/place/Louisiana-state">Introduction & Quick Facts</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref273775"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state#ref273775">Land</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref273776"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state#ref273776">Relief</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref273777"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state#ref273777">Drainage</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref78450"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state#ref78450">Soils</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref78451"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Climate">Climate</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref78452"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Climate#ref78452">Plant and animal life</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref78454"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Climate#ref78454">People</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref273778"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Climate#ref273778">Population composition</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref78453"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Climate#ref78453">Settlement patterns</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref273779"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Climate#ref273779">Demographic trends</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref78455"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Economy">Economy</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref273780"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Economy#ref273780">Agriculture and forestry</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref78456"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Economy#ref78456">Resources and power</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref78457"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Economy#ref78457">Manufacturing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref78458"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Economy#ref78458">Transportation</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref273781"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Government-and-society">Government and society</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref78460"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Government-and-society#ref78460">Constitutional framework</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref78462"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Government-and-society#ref78462">Health and welfare</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref78461"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Government-and-society#ref78461">Education</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref78463"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><div class="ml-25"></div><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Cultural-life">Cultural life</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref78464"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Cultural-life#ref78464">History</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref78465"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Cultural-life#ref78465">Early settlement</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref78466"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/The-19th-century">The 19th century</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref78467"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Louisiana-state/Louisiana-since-c-1900">Louisiana since <em>c.</em> 1900</a></li></ul></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Louisiana-state/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/Louisiana-state">Facts & Stats</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Louisiana-state/images-videos">Images & Videos</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/93/2193-050-A967A04F/pelican-flag-Louisiana-details-American-Civil-War-1912.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/61422" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/93/2193-004-F3F749B2/pelican-flag-Louisiana-details-American-Civil-War-1912.jpg" alt="Louisiana: flag" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/95/2195-050-8E708CEF/governor-Louisiana-great-seal-description-device-flag-1804.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/61424" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/95/2195-004-8B774D85/governor-Louisiana-great-seal-description-device-flag-1804.jpg" alt="state seal of Louisiana" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/65/64165-004-506C370F/brown-pelican-Louisiana.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/53594" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/65/64165-004-506C370F/brown-pelican-Louisiana.jpg" alt="The brown pelican is Louisiana's state bird." height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/62/88862-004-5CF17963/magnolia-state-flower-Mississippi.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/167783" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/62/88862-004-5CF17963/magnolia-state-flower-Mississippi.jpg" alt="The magnolia is the state flower of Louisiana." height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/94/2194-050-26F6FC07/Louisiana-map-boundaries-MAP-locator-cities-CORE.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/61423" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/94/2194-004-5684FECE/Louisiana-map-boundaries-MAP-locator-cities-CORE.jpg" alt="map of Louisiana" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/93074-050-F81FFDD7/home-plantation-Louisiana.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/99945" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/93074-004-283A776E/home-plantation-Louisiana.jpg" alt="Louisiana" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/22/20622-050-5FF190FF/Louisiana-map-features-MAP-locator-CORE-ARTICLES.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/64120" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/22/20622-004-3B543CDB/Louisiana-map-features-MAP-locator-CORE-ARTICLES.jpg" alt="Louisiana" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/4838-050-7C89779E/Deep-South.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/3823" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/4838-004-83445142/Deep-South.jpg" alt="United States: Deep South" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/99512-050-0780E5AD/Wetlands-area-basin-part-Atchafalaya-River-Louisiana.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/99947" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/99512-004-34F342C2/Wetlands-area-basin-part-Atchafalaya-River-Louisiana.jpg" alt="wetlands" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/21/91521-050-F50E8314/research-aircraft-Hurricane-Katrina-eye-appearance-effect.jpg" 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Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). </div> <div class="type-menu"> <label for="feedback-type" class="label mb-10">Feedback Type</label> <select id="feedback-type" class="form-select mb-30" name="feedbackTypeId" required> <option value="" selected="selected">Select a type (Required)</option> <option value="1">Factual Correction</option> <option value="2">Spelling/Grammar Correction</option> <option value="3">Link Correction</option> <option value="4">Additional Information</option> <option value="5">Other</option> </select> </div> <label for="feedback" class="label mb-10">Your Feedback</label> <textarea id="feedback" class="form-control mb-30" name="feedback" maxlength="3000" rows="7" required></textarea> <button class="btn btn-blue" type="submit">Submit Feedback</button> </form> <div class="success-messaging d-none mt-30"> <div class="title">Thank you for your feedback</div> <p>Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-websites-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom font-weight-bold"> External Websites </div> <div class="pb-20"> <ul class="list-unstyled mt-20 lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.louisianatravel.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Official Tourism Site of Louisiana, United States</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-la.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">CRW Flags - Flag of Louisiana, United States</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.louisiana.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Official Site of the State of Louisiana, United States</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-title">Britannica Websites</div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-subtitle">Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.</div> <ul class="list-unstyled bps-topic-web-sites lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Louisiana/345492" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Louisiana - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Louisiana/275542" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Louisiana - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 js-header-ai-ask-button d-none btn-sm btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="caption alternate-titles">Also known as: Pelican State</div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 qa-editor-popup gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/Robert-J-Norrell/3600" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Robert J. Norrell</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Professor of History, University of Tennessee. Author of <i>Reaping the Whirlwind: The Civil Rights Movement in Tuskegee</i> and <i>The House I Live In: Race in the American Century</i>.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Robert J. Norrell</span>, <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 qa-editor-popup gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/Perry-H-Howard/1383" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Perry H. Howard</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Author of <em>Political Tendencies in Louisiana.</em></div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Perry H. Howard</span><span class="text-gray-700 mx-5">•</span><a class="see-all border-gray-700 gtm-byline" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Louisiana-state/additional-info#contributors">All</a> </div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 qa-editor-popup font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2025-02-14T00:00:00CST" >Feb 14, 2025</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Louisiana-state/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="bg-gray-50 p-15 rounded module-spacing recent-news d-flex flex-column float-false"> <div> <h2 class="font-weight-bold font-14 m-0 d-inline"> News <span class="text-gray-600">•</span> </h2> <div class="recent-news-item first-recent-news-item d-inline"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/349271/f0e0d3b2dfb0f6a3e81cadd2dcd56696" rel="nofollow">Trump creates council for 'energy dominance,' boosts natural gas exports and offshore drilling</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 14, 2025, 6:43 PM ET (AP) <button class="btn btn-link d-inline p-0 font-12 js-toggle-recent-news"> <span class="text-gray-500">...</span><span>(Show more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </div> <div class="rest-of-recent-news-items"> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/349271/b9d6a0c821fc444a609cf5cde70efaaa" rel="nofollow">Texas judge fines New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a woman near Dallas</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 13, 2025, 8:42 PM ET (AP) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/349271/8e2eecde047648e6fb62c4b44edd6566" rel="nofollow">Louisiana to end mass vaccine promotion, state's top health official says</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 13, 2025, 7:25 PM ET (AP) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/349271/ba95fc9ec297102cc05097ac3ad008a6" rel="nofollow">Correction: Super Bowl Guide story</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 12, 2025, 8:24 PM ET (AP) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="/news/349271/3f43c519a4b4f4661dd0831421943ef7" rel="nofollow">White House says it has the right to punish AP reporters over Gulf naming dispute</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Feb. 12, 2025, 7:38 PM ET (AP) </span> </div> <button class="js-toggle-recent-news d-flex btn btn-unstyled font-14 pr-10 rounded-sm mt-10" aria-label="Toggle additional news items"> Show less <em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_less"></em> </button> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref613883"></span>Louisiana</strong>, <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="constituent" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constituent" data-type="MW">constituent</a> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/state-United-States-political-subdivision" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">state</a> of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">United States of America</a>. It is <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="delineated" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/delineated" data-type="MW">delineated</a> from its neighbours—<a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Arkansas-state" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Arkansas</a> to the north, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Mississippi-state" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mississippi</a> to the east, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Texas-state" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Texas</a> to the west—by both natural and man-made boundaries. The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Gulf-of-Mexico" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Gulf of Mexico</a> lies to the south. The total area of Louisiana includes about 4,600 square miles (12,000 square km) of inland waters. The capital is <span id="ref967826"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Baton-Rouge" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Baton Rouge</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Admitted to the union in 1812 as the 18th state, Louisiana commands a once strategically vital region where the waters of the great <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Mississippi-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mississippi</a>-<a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Missouri-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Missouri</a> river system, draining the continental interior of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/North-America" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">North America</a>, flow out into the warm, northward-curving crescent of the Gulf of Mexico. It is not surprising that seven flags have flown over its territories since 1682, when the explorer <span id="ref613882"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rene-Robert-Cavelier-sieur-de-La-Salle" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">René-Robert Cavelier, sieur (lord) de La Salle</a>, placed a wooden cross in the ground and claimed the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/territory-ecology" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">territory</a> in the name of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/France" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">France’s</a> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-XIV-king-of-France" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Louis XIV</a>. The consequent varieties of cultural <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="heritage" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/heritage" data-type="EB">heritage</a> run like bright threads through many facets of the social, political, and artistic life of the state.</p><div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="qf-title font-weight-bold font-14 mb-10 text-center"> Quick Facts</div> <div class="m-n10 "> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 media-slider card-snap-slider col-100"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex col-100"> <div class="rw-track w-100"> <div class="pt-10 d-inline-flex col-100"> <div class="w-100"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/93/2193-050-A967A04F/pelican-flag-Louisiana-details-American-Civil-War-1912.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/61422" class="media-overlay-link card-media d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center px-20" > <div class="position-relative"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/93/2193-050-A967A04F/pelican-flag-Louisiana-details-American-Civil-War-1912.jpg" alt="Louisiana: flag" class="cropped-false w-100 media-slide-img" /> <em class="material-icons qf-zoom" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> <div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg"> 1 of 4</div> </div> </a> <div class="card-body text-center pt-5 pb-10 font-14"> <span>See article: <a href="/topic/flag-of-Louisiana">flag of Louisiana</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="pt-10 d-inline-flex col-100"> <div class="w-100"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/95/2195-050-8E708CEF/governor-Louisiana-great-seal-description-device-flag-1804.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/61424" class="media-overlay-link card-media d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center px-20" > <div class="position-relative"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/95/2195-050-8E708CEF/governor-Louisiana-great-seal-description-device-flag-1804.jpg" alt="state seal of Louisiana" class="cropped-false w-100 media-slide-img" /> <em class="material-icons qf-zoom" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> <div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg"> 2 of 4</div> </div> </a> <div class="card-body text-center pt-5 pb-10 font-14"> Seal of Louisiana</div> </div> </div> <div class="pt-10 d-inline-flex col-100"> <div class="w-100"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/65/64165-004-506C370F/brown-pelican-Louisiana.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/53594" class="media-overlay-link card-media d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center px-20" > <div class="position-relative"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/65/64165-004-506C370F/brown-pelican-Louisiana.jpg" alt="The brown pelican is Louisiana's state bird." class="cropped-false w-100 media-slide-img" /> <em class="material-icons qf-zoom" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> <div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg"> 3 of 4</div> </div> </a> <div class="card-body text-center pt-5 pb-10 font-14"> The brown pelican is Louisiana's state bird.</div> </div> </div> <div class="pt-10 d-inline-flex col-100"> <div class="w-100"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/62/88862-004-5CF17963/magnolia-state-flower-Mississippi.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/167783" class="media-overlay-link card-media d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center px-20" > <div class="position-relative"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/62/88862-004-5CF17963/magnolia-state-flower-Mississippi.jpg" alt="The magnolia is the state flower of Louisiana." class="cropped-false w-100 media-slide-img" /> <em class="material-icons qf-zoom" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> <div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg"> 4 of 4</div> </div> </a> <div class="card-body text-center pt-5 pb-10 font-14"> The magnolia is the state flower of Louisiana.</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue btn-blue-dark" aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue btn-blue-dark" aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Capital: </dt> <dd><a href="/place/Baton-Rouge">Baton Rouge</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Population<Sup>1</Sup>: </dt> <dd>(2020) 4,657,757; (2023 est.) 4,573,749</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Governor: </dt> <dd>Jeffrey Landry (Republican)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Date Of Admission: </dt> <dd>April 30, 1812</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>U.S. Senators: </dt> <dd><a href="/biography/Bill-Cassidy">Bill Cassidy</a> (Republican)</dd> <dd><a href="/biography/John-Kennedy-American-politician-born-1951">John Kennedy</a> (Republican)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>State Nickname: </dt> <dd>Pelican State</dd> <dd>Creole State</dd> <dd>Sugar State</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>State Motto: </dt> <dd>"Union, Justice, and Confidence"</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>State Bird: </dt> <dd>eastern brown pelican</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>State Flower<Sup>2</Sup>: </dt> <dd>southern magnolia</dd> <dd>Louisiana iris</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>State Song: </dt> <dd>“Give Me Louisiana”</dd> <dd>“You Are My Sunshine”</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Seats In U.S. House Of Representatives: </dt> <dd>6 (of 435)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Time Zone: </dt> <dd>Central (GMT − 6 hours)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Total Area (Sq Km): </dt> <dd>135,651</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Total Area (Sq Mi): </dt> <dd>52,375</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="footnotes mb-15"> <ol> <li>Excluding military abroad.</li> <li>The Louisiana iris is the state wildflower.</li> </ol> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/Louisiana-state"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> <button class="facts-list-show-more-btn mt-15 p-0 mx-auto btn font-14 d-block font-weight-normal"> <span class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></span> <span class="show-more-label">Show More</span> </button> </div><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="99945" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/93074-050-F81FFDD7/home-plantation-Louisiana.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/349271/99945"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/93074-050-F81FFDD7/home-plantation-Louisiana.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/93074-050-F81FFDD7/home-plantation-Louisiana.jpg?w=300" alt="Louisiana" data-width="1600" data-height="1064" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/93074-050-F81FFDD7/home-plantation-Louisiana.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/99945">Louisiana</a><span>An old plantation home in Louisiana.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">With parts of its land lying farther south than any portion of the continental United States except southern Texas and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Florida" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Florida</a> peninsula, and with <span id="ref613888"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Orleans-Louisiana" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">New Orleans</a>, its largest city, lying on roughly the same parallel as <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Cairo" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Cairo</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Delhi" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">New Delhi</a>, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Shanghai" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Shanghai</a>, Louisiana owes much of its complex personality to its geographic position. The subtropical climate of the state has provided the magnificent brooding scenery of the coastal <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/bayou" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">bayous</a>, and the lush, dank vegetation of its shores conceals a wealth of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/petroleum" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">petroleum</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/natural-gas" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">natural gas</a>. The fertile soil covering much of the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="terrain" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/terrain" data-type="EB">terrain</a> made Louisiana a rich agricultural area by 1860, with flourishing <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/sugarcane" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">sugarcane</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">cotton</a> <span id="ref967810"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/plantation-agriculture" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">plantations</a>. A <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/lumber" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">lumber</a> boom occurred at the turn of the 20th century, and Louisiana underwent rapid industrialization after <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-II" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">World War II</a>. Mineral output is great, and the state ranks among the country’s leaders in oil and gas production.</p><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">But progress has not been without its tragic and turbulent aspects: bitter territorial disputes and violent internal struggles for political power impeded the social and economic development of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/state-sovereign-political-entity" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">state</a> and crippled many of its political institutions. The wealth of the plantations was accumulated through the extensive use of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Slave-people" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">slaves</a>, whose descendants <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="comprise" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comprise" data-type="MW">comprise</a> nearly one-third of Louisiana’s population and whose <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="culture" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture" data-type="MW">culture</a> has contributed much to the social fabric of the state. Racial conflict marked the development of the state from the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/American-Civil-War" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">American Civil War</a> period (1861–65) and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Reconstruction-United-States-history" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Reconstruction</a> (1865–77) through the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/American-civil-rights-movement" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">civil rights movement</a> of the 1950s and ’60s. The guarantee of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/suffrage" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">suffrage</a> (through the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Voting-Rights-Act" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Voting Rights Act</a> [1965]) and ever-increasing <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/African-American" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">African American</a> political involvement, however, have helped move the state toward being a more racially egalitarian society.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Since the 1960s the state’s economy, tied closely to the fluctuating oil industry, has experienced slower <a href="https://www.britannica.com/money/economic-growth" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">economic growth</a> and less diversification than many other Southern states. More recently, corruption in state politics and an explosion of crime in the New Orleans area have <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="marred" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/marred" data-type="EB">marred</a> that city’s colourful image. Although the rich cultural heritage of the state is still enjoyed by many, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/tourism" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">tourism</a> declined precipitously and businesses and residents suffered major losses after Hurricane Katrina devastated parts of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Gulf-Coast" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Gulf Coast</a> (including New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana) in August 2005. Area 52,375 square miles (135,651 square km). Population (2020) 4,657,757; (2023 est.) 4,573,749.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/us-state-capitals-quiz" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/90/217490-131-CEE12385/Texas-state-capitol-building-Austin-Texas.jpg" alt="Texas State Capitol building in Austin, Texas. United States" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">U.S. State Capitals Quiz</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="marker h2"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref273775"> <h2 class="h1">Land</h2> <section data-level="2" id="ref273776"> <h2 class="h2">Relief</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies multiple medialist slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100" data-type="other"><div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex"><div class="rw-track d-flex align-items-center"><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="64120" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/22/20622-050-5FF190FF/Louisiana-map-features-MAP-locator-CORE-ARTICLES.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/349271/64120"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/22/20622-050-5FF190FF/Louisiana-map-features-MAP-locator-CORE-ARTICLES.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/22/20622-050-5FF190FF/Louisiana-map-features-MAP-locator-CORE-ARTICLES.jpg?w=300" alt="Louisiana" data-width="1600" data-height="1234" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">1 of 2</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/22/20622-050-5FF190FF/Louisiana-map-features-MAP-locator-CORE-ARTICLES.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/64120">Louisiana</a><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="3823" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/4838-050-7C89779E/Deep-South.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/349271/3823"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/4838-050-7C89779E/Deep-South.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/4838-050-7C89779E/Deep-South.jpg?w=300" alt="United States: Deep South" data-width="2000" data-height="1565" loading="eager"></picture><div class="position-absolute top-10 left-10 assembly-slide-tag rounded-lg">2 of 2</div><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/4838-050-7C89779E/Deep-South.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/3823">United States: Deep South</a><span>The Deep South.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><button disabled="true" class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span></button><button disabled="true" class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span></button></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Three types of regions are found in Louisiana: lowlands, terraces, and hills. The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lowlands-region-Scotland" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">lowlands</a> consist of the coastal marshes and the Mississippi <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/floodplain" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">floodplain</a>, with its natural levees and moderate relief. The <span id="ref613885"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Red-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Red River</a> valley has a low-elevation relief, with red soils in its alluvial plain and many raft lakes built by impounding water from logjams. The terraces include much of the so-called Florida Parishes to the north and northeast of the Mississippi delta, as well as the prairies of southwestern Louisiana. Hills flank the Red River valley and lend <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="contour" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contour" data-type="MW">contour</a> to the northern portion of the Florida Parishes; the state’s highest point is Driskill Mountain (535 feet [163 metres]), in northwestern Louisiana.</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="2" id="ref273777"> <h2 class="h2">Drainage</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="99947" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media" data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/99512-050-0780E5AD/Wetlands-area-basin-part-Atchafalaya-River-Louisiana.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/349271/99947"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/99512-050-0780E5AD/Wetlands-area-basin-part-Atchafalaya-River-Louisiana.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/99512-050-0780E5AD/Wetlands-area-basin-part-Atchafalaya-River-Louisiana.jpg?w=300" alt="wetlands" data-width="1500" data-height="1001" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/99512-050-0780E5AD/Wetlands-area-basin-part-Atchafalaya-River-Louisiana.jpg" data-href="/media/1/349271/99947">wetlands</a><span>Wetlands area in the Atchafalaya River basin, southern Louisiana.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph"><span id="ref613884"></span>Louisiana shares the general physiographic characteristics common to the Gulf Coast states of the southern United States, with the vital exception of the Mississippi River, which borders and then flows through the state and extends its delta far into the Gulf of Mexico. The changing course of this great North American river has created the huge <span id="ref1044922"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Atchafalaya-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Atchafalaya River</a> basin and has dumped tons of sediment along the coast. Despite this, the beachless coast of Louisiana is eroding; at the end of the 20th century, land was vanishing at a rate of about 24 square miles (62 square km) per year. This loss has been caused in part by the system of levees (or embankments) constructed by the federal government to keep the Mississippi in a central channel, which left side channels open to erosion. In 2005 <span id="ref967838"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Hurricane-Katrina" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Hurricane Katrina</a> eroded an additional 73 square miles (189 square km) of the Louisiana coastland.</p><div class="module-spacing"> <DIV class="marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Get Unlimited Access</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=august-2024">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV></div><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="2" id="ref78450"> <h2 class="h2">Soils</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/soil" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">soils</a> of Louisiana have been one of the state’s priceless resources; more than one-fourth of the total land area is covered by the rich alluvium deposited by the overflowing of its rivers and bayous. <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="Muck" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/Muck" data-type="EB">Muck</a> and peat soils are found within the coastal marshes, while the bottoms hold rich alluvial soils: the lighter and coarser bottom soils of the Mississippi and Red River valleys and the older alluvium and loessial, or windblown, soils. Within the uplands, or hills, there are more-mature soils that are less fertile.</p><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span> </section> </section><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":7,"pageId":349271,"pageLength":943,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.133.9"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.133.9' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"A","adLeg":"A","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"STATE_PAGINATED","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":true} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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Louisiana | History, Map, Population, Cities, & Facts | Britannica