Situated in the Deep South, Louisiana, the
"Pelican State," has a colorful history and was named
in honor of King Louis XIV. A strong French influence is still
evident throughout the state--its capital city is named Baton
Rouge, French for "red stick," because the
French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville visited the
area in 1699 and observed a red cypress post. Today the city of
New Orleans is known for its Mardi Gras and jazz festivals.
State Flower: Magnolia
State Motto: Union, justice, and confidence
State Nickname: Pelican State
State Bird: Eastern Brown Pelican
Land area: 43,566 sq mi. - Length: 380 miles - Width: 130 miles
10 largest cities (1999 est.): New Orleans,
460,913; Baton Rouge, 210,667; Shreveport, 187,393; Lafayette,
116,806; Lake Charles, 72,173; Kenner, 71,567; Bossier City,
56,413; Monroe, 52,114; Alexandria, 45,959; New Iberia, 33,317; - Persons per square mile (1999): 100.4
