People first arrived in the area we now called Louisiana thousands of years ago. And many Native American tribes lived on the land. In 1541 explorer Hernando de Soto claimed the territory for Spain. Then, in 1682 France took control of the region. Ownership of the area went back and forth between these nations until the United States purchased a huge chuck of North America from the French in 1803. As a part of that deal, America acquired the entire state of Louisiana, and lots more. That humongous land acquisition is called the Louisiana Purchase and we have an entire podcast on it, so be sure and check it out.
The city of New Orleans was founded in 1718 on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River., and as the city grew and prospered, the mix of African, French, and Spanish influences gave New Orleans and the entire state a unique culture.
Louisiana does not have an official language. English is the predominant language, of course. But French, Spanish, and Cajun French, are still spoken there today.
Louisiana Is Unique Among States
The economy of Montana is primarily based on agriculture, including ranching and farming. Other significant economic resources include oil, gas, coal, and mining. Tourism also plays an important role in the Montana economy.
Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions called parishes, which are local governments that work like counties. The state has 64 of these parishes, the largest of which is Jefferson Parish near New Orleans.
Louisiana is bordered by Arkansas on the north, Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico in the east, Texas on the west, and the Gulf of Mexico in the south.
Speaking of Southern Louisiana, that’s where you’ll find an ethnic group of French-speaking people called The Cajuns. They make up a significant portion of south Louisiana’s population and have had an enormous impact on the state’s culture. Cajun language, Cajun food, Cajun music, and Cajun celebrations help make Louisiana a state unlike any other of the other 49 United States.
Notable Cities and Towns in Louisiana
- New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana.
- Baton Rogue is the state capital and the second-largest city. It’s also home to Louisiana State University.
- Beaux Bridge is a small city in Louisiana that’s known as the Crawfish Capital of the World.
- New Iberia is a friendly town in the heart of Cajun country. Just outside of New Iberia, on Avery Island, is the birthplace of Tabasco Sauce, a red pepper sauce that’s popular in Louisiana and beyond.
Fact #1: Louisiana is named after a French king: King Louis XIV.
Fact #2: New Orleans is known as the Jazz Capital of the World. And, we have an entire podcast on the greatest Jazz legend of them all: Louis Armstrong. So be sure to check it out.
Fact #3: Louisiana is known for its unique Creole cooking, which is a mix of Spanish, French, African, and other foods. A favorite Louisiana dish is called Jambalaya. It’s a mix of spicy rice, meat, and seafood.
Fact #4: Louisiana is often called “The Bayou State,” but its official state nickname is “The Pelican State” because the pelican is the official state bird.
Fact #5: Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is one of the world’s longest bridges and if you’re near New Orleans, it’s well worth your time to see this engineering marvel which is about 24 miles long.
Just for fun, see if you can answer these questions.
What is the capital of Louisiana? Is it New Orleans, New Iberia, Louisville, or Baton Rogue?
It’s Baton Rogue.
Is the largest city in Louisiana New Orleans, New Iberia, or New York?
New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana. New York is the largest city in the United States.
Which large body of water forms the coast of southern Louisiana? Is it the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, or the Gulf of Mexico?
It’s the Gulf of Mexico.
How did the United States acquire Louisiana? Was it because of the Revolutionary War, the civil War, or the Louisiana Purchase?
The Louisiana Purchase.
If you have time, you can write a story of your own.
Here are a couple of story ideas you can choose from.
Idea #1: You can write a brief story about some of the cool things you learned about Louisiana.
Or
Idea #2: What do you think it would be like to own a fishing boat on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana that sailed into the Gulf of Mexico? Do you think you would like being the captain of a big boat that went far from shore to catch big fish? What do you think your life would be like?
To help you write a great story, we have some helpful hints and timely tips.
Check out “10 Tips for Writing Better Essays.”
Here's a riddle for you:
Why did one clam refuse to share his lunch with the other clam ?
Because he was a little shellfish.
For fun-to-read books about a girl detective who homeschools on a train... check out The Mystery Ryders, a series from the creators of the Homeschool Express.
