Category Archives: State: Louisiana

From festive parades and all night parties on Bourbon Street to seasonal crawfish feasts and world class jazz festivals, New Orleans is a city with a big personality and an incomparable atmosphere. The Big Easy, as the city is affectionately known, sits on the winding Mississippi River, near the Gulf of Mexico. Once the territorial capital of French Louisiana, you might recall from history class that the state was acquired by the United States in 1803 through the Louisiana Purchase. While the state became American territory, the city’s vibrant French culture still remains, which can be seen through its French architecture, cuisine, and the celebration of Mardis Gras, French for Fat Tuesday. The city’s culture is also heavily influenced by African, Spanish, and Creole cultures, resulting in perhaps one of the most culturally unique cities in all of America.