|
Louisiana
Capital:
Baton Rouge
State abbreviation/Postal code:
La./LA
Nickname:
Pelican State
Origin of name:
Named in honor of France's King Louis XIV
Briefs on
Louisiana:
In 1803 America had purchased Louisiana from
French in fifteen million dollar. A visit to Louisiana will assure you
that the state is worth the price. With beautiful 19th
century old magnificent mansions scattered all over, distinctive
scenic beauty and cultural uniqueness, Louisiana is definitely a treat
to your body and soul.
For travelers the Louisiana cities like New
Orleans are a different experience all together. Famous for the Cajun
menu, Old French Quarter, Lafayette and Lugu Lake, New Orleans offers
some of the most attractive places in the entire country. The other
important city is Baton Rogue. Located on the Mississippi river this
capital city of Louisiana is known for a variety of plantations.
 Spreading in an area of 134, 382 square
kilometers Louisiana is a southern state of the United States of
America. To the west of Louisiana is the state of Texas; to the north
lies Arkansas, Mississippi State to the east and Gulf of Mexico to the
south. The population of Louisiana is 4,468,976 approximately.
The first people to inhabit the land of Louisiana
were Native Americans. In 17th century there was an influx
of European explorers in the region. The foremost European explorers
visited the state in 1528. In 1541 an expedition led by Hernando de
Soto crossed the Louisiana land. The later half of 17th
century witnessed several French expeditions. These expeditions made
with sovereign, religious and commercial aims established a foothold
on the Mississippi river and the gulf coast. In the 18th
century settlement and colonization commenced in the region. With the
first settlements France claimed a big part of North America. From the
Gulf of Mexico to Canada, France planned to start up commercial
activity and decided to mark the region as French nation.
In 1682 the French explorer Robert Cavelier de La
Salle titled the area Louisiana. This was done in the honor of
France’s King Louis XIV. The French colony of Louisiana had covered
the land on both sides of the Mississippi river and north to the
French territory in Canada.
In 1714 Louis Juchereau de St. Denis founded the
Natchitoches settlement on the Louisiana territory. This Natchitoches
settlement that sought to establish trade with the Spanish in Texas
and to deter Spanish progression towards Louisiana, is regarded as the
oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory.
The French settlements contributed greatly to the
explorations and outposts along the banks of the Mississippi river and
its major tributaries. In 1722 New Orleans was designated as the seat
of civilian and military authority.
In the French and Indian war a big part of the
then Louisiana territory was lost to the kingdom of Great Britain. The
left out area was that of New Orleans and space in vicinity of the
Lake Pontchartrain. In 1762 with the treaty of Fontainebleau was
signed by France. The treaty was basically several agreements taken up
by France. As per the treaty the remaining Louisiana region went under
Spain as one of its many colonies.
In 1800 the France’s Napoleon Bonaparte took the
Louisiana territory back from Spain. This happened under the Treaty of
San lldefonso, a secret agreement between France and Spain.
In 1803 Napoleon Bonaparte sold the Louisiana
territory to United States of America. the purchase was negotiated by
President Thomas Jefferson. This purchase of Louisiana and several
other territories is historically known as the Louisiana Purchase. The
reason of this purchase was Louisiana’s importance as a trade and
security route.
More links about Louisiana |
