History
New Orleans was founded in 1718 by the French as La Nouvelle-Orléans, under the direction of Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. The site was selected because it was a rare bit of natural high ground along the flood-prone banks of the lower Mississippi, and was adjacent to a Native American trading route and portage between the Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain via Bayou St. John (known to the natives as Bayou Choupique). A community of French fur trappers and traders had existed along the bayou (in what is now the middle of New Orleans) for at least a decade before the official founding of the city. Nouvelle-Orléans became the capital of French Louisiana in 1722, replacing Biloxi in that role.
In 1763, the colony was ceded to the Spanish Empire. Some of the early French settlers were never quite happy with Spanish rule, and repeatedly petitioned to be returned to French control.
In 1795, Spain granted the United States “Right of Deposit” in New Orleans, allowing Americans to use the city’s port facilities. Louisiana reverted to French control in 1801 after Napoleon’s conquest of Spain, but in 1803, Napoleon sold Louisiana (which then included portions of more than a dozen present-day states) to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase. At this time the city of New Orleans had a population of about 10,000 people.
Related Travel Information
Louisiana Travel Guide
In 1803, Louisiana was purchased by the Americans from the French ruled by Napoleon in for just 15 million dollars. The purchase was being negotiated by President Thomas Jefferson. The reason for all this chopping and changing was because of the region's importance for trade and security in the American mid-west; the mighty Mississippi River flows through Louisiana and access to the mouth is controlled by the city of New Orleans.
Louisiana if full of attractions for travelers of all types from party lovers to history buffs. New Orleans, especially at Mardi Gras, is not to be missed.
Baton Rouge (pronounced /?bætn ??u??/ in English, and /bat?? ?u?/ in French) is the capital of Louisiana, a state of the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, its population is 227,818. It is the seat of East Baton Rouge Parish. Baton Rouge is home to the main campus of Louisiana State University and to Southern University.
Baton Rouge is served by the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport.
History
The name Baton Rouge means Red Stick in French. The name comes from a cypress pole dyed red marking the boundary of hunting territory of native tribes when the French first established
Mandeville is a city located in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 10,489. Mandeville is located on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, across the lake from the city of New Orleans.
History
The area had long been agricultural land when the town of Mandeville was laid out in 1834 by developer Bernard Xavier de Marigny de Mandeville. In 1840 Mandeville was incorporated as a town. It became a popular summer destination for well-to-do New Orleanians wishing to escape the city's heat. In the mid 19th century regular daily steam-boat traffic between
Slidell is a city in St. Tammany Parish in Louisiana, a state of the United States of America. It is situated on the northeast shore of Lake Pontchartrain. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 25,695.
Geography
Slidell is located at 30°16'45" North, 89°46'40" West (30.279040, -89.777744)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.4 km² (12.1 mi²). 30.5 km² (11.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.64% water.
History
In 1882, the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad began construction on a
Donaldsonville is a town located in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 7,605.
History and Culture
Donaldsonville served as the Louisiana capital (1830 - 1831) after New Orleans was decided as "too noisy". Donaldsonville is a small town and has many historic sites. The bricks that were used for the former statehouse of Louisiana are now blocking the waters of Bayou Lafourche. Donaldsonville has a museum, parks, shopping centers, civil war grounds, etc.
Donaldsonville was the childhood home of jazz great "King" Joe Oliver and the
