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Louisiana
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Photo: Louisiana
Nightfall in the French Quarter means music, lights, and laughter. Unlike most of New Orleans, the historic district survived Hurricane Katrina relatively unscathed.
Photograph by Richard Nowitz
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Louisiana Information and History

Louisiana ranks fourth in the U.S. in crude-oil production and second in natural gas. Louisiana also ranks second nationally in crude-oil refining capacity. Petrochemical plants line the Mississippi River from New Orleans—the country's busiest port—to Baton Rouge, and the production of chemicals is the state's leading manufacturing activity. Tourism is the second most important industry. Vibrant New Orleans preserves its Creole heritage in the architecture and foods of the French Quarter. Lafayette, the heart of Cajun country, is home to descendants of the Acadians who were expelled from Canada in the mid-18th century.

ECONOMY

Industry: chemicals, petroleum products, food processing, health services, tourism, oil and natural gas extraction, paper products.
Agriculture: forest products, poultry, marine fisheries, sugarcane, rice, dairy products, cotton, cattle, aquaculture.

Text source: National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition, 2004
Louisiana Flag and Fast Facts
Flag of Louisiana
Area
134,264 square kilometers
(51,840 square miles)
Population
4,496,334
Capital
Baton Rouge; 225,702
Per Capita Income
U.S. $25,370
Date Statehood Achieved
April 30, 1812
Louisiana Features
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Merry-go-rounds, deep-fried corndogs and high-flying Ferris wheels mark the start of state fair season. Submit your best summer fair pictures to the newest category of My Shot and view photos from other fairs across the country.
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Spice up your family's travels with this comprehensive collection of attractions from every state. These 3,500 family-friendly sights and activities are grouped by states and by categories of interest—and many of them are free!
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Hurricane Katrina changed New Orleans forever. It will come back, but which New Orleans will it be?
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There are 58 national parks in the U.S., as varied as the country that houses them. We've gathered everything you need to know to set off for a summer adventure, plus photo galleries, quizzes, maps, and more.
Map: Louisiana
State: Louisiana
Country: United States
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