Louisiana
Became a state: April 30, 1812 (18th state)
Area: 51,885 sq mi (ranked 31st in size)
Population: 4,468,976 (ranked 22nd in population)
Capital: Baton Rouge
Largest City: New Orleans (population 311,853)
Bordering States: Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas
Origin of state name: Louisiana (La Louisianne) was named by explorer René-Robert Cavelier in the mid 1600's to honor King Louis XIV of France.
State Nickname: Sportsman’s Paradise (formerly the Pelican State)
State Bird: Eastern Brown Pelican
State Flower: Magnolia Blossom
State Tree: Bald Cypress
State Gemstone: Agate
Trivia: The Mardi Gras in New Orleans attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year for celebration. The term Mardi Gras is a French word which means Carnival Celebrations. The first Mardi Gras festivities in Louisiana were held on March 3, 1699. On that day, a group of French explorers set up camp on the west bank of the Mississippi River, about 60 miles downriver from what is now New Orleans. The group's leader, Pierre Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur d'Iberville dubbed the spot La Pointe du Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is an ancient custom that originated in southern Europe. It celebrates food and fun just before the 40 days of Lent: a Catholic time of prayer and sacrifice.
Abbreviation: LA
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