100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Louisiana (LA) sits in the southern United States on the Gulf of Mexico. The state’s economy leans on oil and natural gas extraction and a robust chemical industry. Louisiana is known for its distinctive culture and cuisine, and Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans rank among the top tourist draws. The capital is Baton Rouge, while the largest city is New Orleans.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Louisiana Abbreviation LA Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans (Population: 364 136) Current time 12:07 Time zone CST (UTC-6), the state follows daylight saving time CDT (UTC-5) Population 4,657,785 (#25 most populous US state) Area 135,382 km² (#31 largest US state) Admitted to the Union April 30, 1812 (#18 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Louisiana
The capital of the state of Louisiana is Baton Rouge, whose foundations were laid in 1699. French explorers led by Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville named it after spotting a hunting ground between the territories of the Houma and Bayagoula tribes marked by a red pole. The French term “le bâton rouge” means “red stick,” which marked the boundary between the tribes. Baton Rouge first became the capital in 1849. Between 1862 and 1882, the government moved to New Orleans, then returned to Baton Rouge.
🏙️ Largest City in Louisiana
The largest city in Louisiana is New Orleans, which had a population of 364,136 in 2023. Second is the capital, Baton Rouge, with 219,573 people, and third is Shreveport with 177,959 residents.
🕒 Time in Louisiana
The current time in Louisiana is 12:07. The entire state follows Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6), switching to daylight time CDT (UTC-5) from March through November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Louisiana
As of 2023, Louisiana had 4,657,785 residents, placing it 25th among U.S. states by population.
📍 Area of Louisiana
Louisiana’s total area is 135,382 km², of which 115,075 km² is land and 20,307 km² is water. Louisiana ranks as the 31st largest U.S. state.
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Fun Facts About Louisiana
🧩 Which States Border Louisiana
Louisiana borders three U.S. states: Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. It also has a 638.91 km coastline along the Gulf of Mexico to the south.
📅 Date of Louisiana Statehood
Louisiana was admitted as the 18th state on April 30, 1812, transforming from the original Territory of Orleans.
📛 Louisiana State Nickname
Louisiana’s official nickname is “The Pelican State,” named for the brown pelican, the state bird. The pelican appears on the state flag and seal, and it lends its name to the popular New Orleans basketball team.
Louisiana is also intriguingly known as “The Bayou State.” The word “bayou” comes from Native American languages and refers to slow-moving water in swampy areas that are characteristic of the state.
⛰️ Highest Point in Louisiana
The highest point in Louisiana is Driskill Mountain at just 163.07 m, the fourth-lowest high point among all U.S. states.
🏞️ Rivers in Louisiana
The longest river in Louisiana is the Mississippi River with a total length of 3,730 km. It is followed by the Red River (2,190 km), the Ouachita River (882 km), the Sabine River (820 km), and the Pearl River (715 km).
🎓 Universities in Louisiana
The largest university in the state is Louisiana State University, founded in 1860 in Baton Rouge, with around 37,000 students. Second, with roughly 19,000 enrolled, is the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and third is Tulane University with about 14,000 students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Louisiana
Louisiana is assigned ZIP code ranges 700xx–701xx, 703xx–708xx, and 710xx–714xx. You can look up a ZIP code for any address on the USPS website, and learn more in the article ZIP Codes in the USA.
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Weather in Louisiana
The best time to visit Louisiana is fall, when temperatures are more comfortable than in summer.
Spring in Louisiana is warm and humid, with temperatures usually ranging between 20 °C and 28 °C. Rain is common, and strong thunderstorms are typical of the Southern states.
Summer in Louisiana is humid and very hot, with most days running from 27 °C to 32 °C. High humidity makes it feel even hotter, and heavy downpours and severe storms are frequent. Hurricane risk is elevated in summer.
Fall in Louisiana is warm, with typical temperatures between 20 °C and 25 °C. Rain gradually eases, with October among the driest months, which creates good conditions for travel. Hurricane risk is relatively low.
Winter in Louisiana is mild, with usual temperatures between 10 °C and 15 °C. While rain is fairly common in winter, snowfall is rare.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Louisiana
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What to See in Louisiana
1️⃣ French Quarter in New Orleans
The French Quarter is the oldest and best-known neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana’s largest city. It stands out for its unique colonial architecture with signature balconies and narrow lanes.
The most famous building is St. Louis Cathedral, completed in the mid-19th century. For an authentic feel of the area, also called Vieux Carré, listen to traditional jazz and try Creole cuisine.
2️⃣ National WWII Museum
The National WWII Museum in New Orleans ranks among the world’s most important museums of its kind. Exhibits include interactive installations, authentic wartime artifacts, and first-hand accounts from veterans. The museum covers multiple theaters of the conflict, including Europe and the Pacific. A standout attraction is the 4D documentary Beyond All Boundaries, narrated by actor Tom Hanks.
3️⃣ Tabasco Factory
Avery Island near the Gulf of Mexico is where the world-famous Tabasco sauce has been made since 1868. Fans of spicy food can tour both the museum and the factory to learn about the brand’s history. The tour shows how the sauce is produced and includes tastings of different Tabasco varieties.
4️⃣ Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour
If you enjoy adventure and you are up for it, stop in the city of Slidell near New Orleans. Cajun Encounters runs unique swamp tours where you can spot alligators, turtles, and other wildlife. Experienced guides keep you safe and share engaging commentary.
5️⃣ Mardi Gras World
Mardi Gras is one of New Orleans’ most famous symbols, filling the city with thousands of dancers at the end of winter. Mardi Gras World is where the masks and parade floats for the festival are made. This museum on the Mississippi River offers a look into the traditions and behind-the-scenes preparations. Visitors can soak up the festive vibe even outside the season.
6️⃣ Louisiana State Capitol
The Capitol in the capital city of Baton Rouge ranks among the state’s most important buildings. Construction in the art deco style began in December 1930, and the grand opening took place in May 1932.
Thanks to its relatively late construction, at 137.16 m it is the tallest of all American state capitols. During a tour, visitors can go up to the observation deck for views over Baton Rouge and the surrounding area.
7️⃣ Audubon Zoo
Audubon Zoo is one of the country’s best. It opened in 1914 and is named after Franco-American ornithologist John James Audubon. Today it is home to about two thousand animals, including lions, elephants, alligators, and turtles.
The zoo is divided into themed zones that mirror the animals’ natural habitats. Part of the grounds features interactive programs and children’s attractions, which makes it a great stop for families.
8️⃣ Bourbon Street in New Orleans
Bourbon Street is synonymous with New Orleans nightlife. It runs through the city center, lined on both sides with bars, clubs, and restaurants. The street’s atmosphere peaks during the traditional Mardi Gras festival, when it fills with thousands of revelers.
The city’s signature drink is the Hurricane, made with rum, passion fruit juice, lemon juice, and grenadine.
9️⃣ Whitney Plantation
Whitney Plantation, west of New Orleans, focuses on the history of slavery and on the lives of the enslaved people who worked there. Visitors can tour authentic buildings, including the main house and the cabins where enslaved people lived. The museum emphasizes personal stories, which helps visitors better understand the state’s past.
🔟 Preservation Hall Concert Venue
Preservation Hall is a landmark music venue in the heart of New Orleans, where traditional jazz has been performed continuously since 1961. You can buy tickets to authentic shows by local musicians on the venue’s website. Concerts tend to be fairly short, yet they are intense.
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Largest Cities in Louisiana
The table lists the ten largest cities in Louisiana in 2023. The source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary task is the decennial census.
City County Population 1 New Orleans Orleans 364,136 Map of New Orleans 2 Baton Rouge East Baton Rouge 219,573 Map of Baton Rouge 3 Shreveport Caddo, Bossier 177,959 Map of Shreveport 4 Lafayette Lafayette 121,467 Map of Lafayette 5 Lake Charles Calcasieu 79,633 Map of Lake Charles 6 Kenner Jefferson 63,333 Map of Kenner 7 Bossier City Bossier 62,738 Map of Bossier City 8 Monroe Ouachita 46,616 Map of Monroe 9 Alexandria Rapides 43,466 Map of Alexandria 10 Houma Terrebonne 31,733 Map of Houma -
Sports Teams in Louisiana
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
Louisiana has no team in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
The only Louisiana representative in the NFL is the New Orleans Saints. They joined the league in the 1967 season and are part of the NFC South Division. The team colors are old gold, black, and white. The home stadium is Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
Since the 2002 season, the state has been represented in the NBA by the New Orleans Pelicans, part of the Southwest Division in the Western Conference. The team plays all home games at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The Pelicans’ colors are navy blue, gold, and red.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no MLB team in Louisiana.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
There is no MLS team from Louisiana.
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Louisiana State Symbols
All official Louisiana state symbols are established in state law; below is a selection.
Louisiana State Flag
The current flag of Louisiana was adopted on July 1, 1912. It features a dark blue field with the state seal motif: a pelican tending to three chicks in a nest, along with the state motto “Union Justice Confidence.” In 2010, the pelican on the flag was updated to make it clearer that it feeds its young with its own blood.
State Seal of Louisiana
The great seal has been an official Louisiana symbol since 1812, with the current design adopted in 2006. As on the flag, that update refined the pelican, the seal’s central element. The pelican plucks its breast to draw blood to feed its chicks.
State Bird
Unsurprisingly, the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) has also been the official state bird since 1958. It is common along the entire Gulf Coast.
State Flower
The official state flower since 1900 is the magnolia, which grows throughout Louisiana, with rich stands for example along the Mississippi River.
State Fish
In 1993, the list of state symbols expanded to include the white crappie (Pomoxis annularis), found in open freshwater and in slow-moving rivers.
State Tree
The official state tree since 1963 is the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). The largest known specimen stands in Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge near St. Francisville, measuring 29.3 m tall with a circumference of 17.1 m, and it is estimated to be 1,500 years old.
State Mammal
The official state mammal since 1992 is the Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus), found most often in the Mississippi River valley and the Atchafalaya Basin.
State Reptile
In 1983, the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) became Louisiana’s official state reptile. The longest reported specimen measured 584 cm, taken on Marsh Island off the Louisiana coast.
State Colors
The official state colors, designated in 1972, are blue, white, and gold.
State Fruit
Louisiana is a major producer of strawberries, which were named a state symbol for a single year in 1983 and permanently from 2001 onward.
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