Louisiana

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State in southern USA, bordered to the north by Arkansas, to the west by Texas, with the Sabine River and Toledo Bend Reservoir forming much of the boundary, and to the east by Mississippi, with the Mississippi and Pearl rivers forming much of the boundary; area 112,825 sq km/43,562 sq mi; population (2000 est) 4,469,000; capital Baton Rouge. The state is named after France's King Louis XIV and its nickname is a tribute to the official state bird, the brown pelican, which is native to Louisiana. To the south, the state extends into the Gulf of Mexico, its area expanding continuously through the growth of the delta of the Mississippi River. The Louisiana coast features bayous and marshes, salt domes, islets and channels, and brackish lakes. The economy is based on petroleum products, agriculture, fishing, minerals, and tourism. The state is associated with the development of jazz and blues; the music industry contributes to the economy and is a major tourist attraction. Major cities include New Orleans (the largest in the state), Shreveport, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Kenner; other metropolitan areas are Metairie, Marrero, and Chalmette. From the 16th century the state was in the hands of the Spanish and the French, before being bought by the USA in 1803. Its culture has also been influenced by African slaves and Caribbean and French-Canadian immigrants. The state was admitted to the Union in 1812 as the 18th US state.

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