Louisiana is a southern state formed from sediment washed down the Mississippi River forming enormous deltas and vast areas of coastal marsh and swamp. It is a popular tourist destination with the city of New Orleans being known for its picturesque French Quarter and the annual Mardi Gras celebration, celebrated on a grand scale with masked balls and colorful parades.

The state has perhaps the most classic example of a humid subtropical climate with long, hot, humid summers and short, mild winters. The unique geography of the region with the many bayous, marshes and inlets makes it venerable to strikes by hurricanes from the Gulf of Mexico. A number of areas are protected from human intervention such as the Kisatchie National Forest, which includes over 600,000 acres that supports many rare plant and animal species and Lake Pontchartrain, which is a system of protected cypress swamps home to egrets, alligators, and sturgeon.

Tourism and culture are major players in Louisiana’s economy. Being the largest producer and exporter of crawfish in the world, the seafood industry directly supports an estimated 16,000 jobs. The oil industry, which employs about 58,000 Louisiana residents and has created another 260,000 oil-related jobs produces one third of all oil produced in the United States.

With its Cajun culture and cuisine, zydeco music and lifestyle, Louisiana has gained international acclaim. Whether your interests lie in its vibrant arts community, world-class museums, large array of outdoor activities (including feeding the alligators) or famous foods and festivities, Louisiana should certainly be your destination.

Major cities in Louisiana include New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Kenner.