Higher Education  

Louisiana has thirty-two colleges and universities, and seven community colleges. Louisiana State University, the largest state-run institution, has campuses at Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Eunice, and Shreveport. Other state institutions are Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Southern University in Baton Rouge (with branch campuses at New Orleans and Shreveport), the University of Southwestern Louisiana at Lafayette, Grambling State University in Grambling, Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Francis T. Nichols State University in Thibodaux, McNeese State University in St. Charles, Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, and Delgado College in New Orleans. Private institutions include Tulane University in New Orleans, Loyola University of New Orleans, Xavier University of Louisiana at New Orleans, Louisiana College in Pineville, and Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport.

Geography

Altogether, the state of Louisiana covers 123,682 square kilometers, including 8,806 square kilometers of inland water. There are approximately 2,500 coastal islands that belong to Louisiana. Louisiana lies within the three main regions of the Gulf Coastal Plain: the East Gulf Coastal Plain, the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, and the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The East Gulf Coastal Plain includes the part of the state that is east of the Mississippi and north of Lake Pontchartrain. The floodplain and great delta of the lower Mississippi are part of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. The West Gulf Coastal Plain includes all of Louisiana west of the Mississippi. Flowing through Louisiana for about 965 kilometers, the Mississippi River pours out into the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana's major cities include New Orleans, Baton Rouge (capital), Shreveport, Metaire, and Lafayette. The state's population is approximately 4.2 million.

Climate

One of the wettest states, Louisiana has a climate that is hot, humid, and subtropical. The average annual precipitation is 142 cm statewide. In January, temperatures range from an average of 9° C in the north to 13° C in the south. July temperatures average about 28° C in both the north and the south.

Cultural Profile

New Orleans is known for its many jazz clubs. Cajun music is a popular form of folk music unique to Louisiana. The cities of New Orleans, Baton, Rouge, Alexandria, and Lake Charles all support symphony orchestras. There are opera companies in New Orleans, Shreveport, and Baton Rouge. Among the popular theaters in New Orleans are Le Petit Theatre Du Vieux Carré, Tulane University's Center Stage, and the Dashiki Project Theater.

Louisiana's museums include the Louisiana State Museum, in the French Quarter of New Orleans; the New Orleans Museum of Art; the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, in Shreveport; the Louisiana Arts and Science Center, in Baton Rouge; and the Museum of Natural Science at Louisiana State University.

Recreation

Louisiana has twelve state parks, seventeen state commemorative areas, and one state preservation area. Among the more interesting state parks are Fountainebleau State Park near Mandeville, St. Bernard State Park, Lake Bruin State Park, and Grand Isle State Park. Kisatchie National Forest, in the central and northwestern part of the state, is a beautiful conservation area covering 242,820 hectares. Louisiana also boats numerous public gardens, such as Hodges Garden near Many, Live Oak Gardens at Jefferson Island, and Avery Island Jungle Gardens. Popular outdoor activities include fishing, canoeing, and boating.

Interesting Facts

Louisiana is America's top producer of salt, shrimp, and crawfish. Over one million people attend Mardi Gras each year in New Orleans. The longest railroad bridge in the USA, spanning about 7 kilometers, crosses the Mississippi River outside of New Orleans. Famous Louisianans include Michael DeBakey (heart surgeon), Lillian Hellman (playwright), Truman Capote (writer), Ernest J. Gaines (novelist), Anne Rice (writer), Louis Armstrong (jazz musician), and Bill Russell (professional basketball player and coach).