The Rich History of Louisiana
Posted on January 10, 2010 - Filed Under Arts and Entertainment
The history of Louisiana is a rich blend of many different cultures from France, Spain, Africa, the Caribbean and Native Americans. Nearly everyone is familiar with the French Quarter and the annual Mardi Gras, which attract visitors from all over the world. Louisiana is also known as the birthplace of jazz. The state is also home the birthplace of many other styles of music, including zydeco and Cajun. The state's rich history is obvious in its food, culture and architecture.
The area was initially visited by Spanish explorers in 1528. They also explored Louisiana in 1541, but never followed up with any additional interest. In the latter part of the 17th century, The French made numerous expeditions and established settlements along the Mississippi River and the Gulf. Louisiana received its name fro Robert Cavelier de LaSalle.
The French explorer named the area in honor of King Louis XIV. The first settlement was in present day Ocean Springs, Mississippi, in 1699. The original territory claimed included land on both sides of the Mississippi and extending to Canada. The area was vast and includes 15 states: Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
In 1714, Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement, was built along the Red River in northwest Louisiana. It eventually became a prosperous river port and was instrumental n the development of cotton the empire. Eventually elaborate homes and plantation began to dot Natchitoches, New Orleans and other locations.
New Orleans was made the center of the French Colony in 1722. Previous outposts of civilian and military rule were in Mobile, Alabama and Biloxi, Mississippi. During the decades of 1720, Germans settlers claimed land on one Louisiana side of the Mississippi River known as the German Coast.
The first slave ships arrived in New Orleans in 1719. As much as two-thirds of Louisiana slaves were from the area between the Gambia and Senegal rivers. The fact that a majority of the slave population was from a single region of Africa was a major factor in the development of Creole culture. France lost a significant portion of the territory to the British following the French and Indian War. However, the French remained in control of the New Orleans's area and land surround Lake Pontchartrain.
In 1763, the Treaty of Paris gave the remaining territories to Spain. The population, free people and slave population expanded under Spanish rule, including French-speaking refugees from a region called Acadia, which is now known as Nova Scotia. The refugees settled in Acadiana, which is located in the southwestern part of Louisiana. Cajuns are their direct descendants. Napoleon Bonaparte got the Louisiana territory back from the Spanish in 1800 and eventually sold it to the United States. The territory was divided in two regions, the Territory of Orleans and the District of Louisiana. The Territory of Orleans became the State of Louisiana in 1812.
As the pace of settlement in the Midwest and South continued to grow during the 1800's, New Orleans eventually became a major center of commerce. The port was a confluence of steamboats, and flatboats for transporting goods and people along the interior. Sailing ships exported cotton and sugar and imported fine fabrics, furnishings, wine, and luxury goods were among the imports.
The tremendous wealth generated during Louisiana's antebellum period, which starts around 1830 and ends around 1862, is evident by the many antebellum homes that were built. Many of these plantation homes are still standing today, there are many tours built around these grand dwellings. The exterior are replete with Greek pillars and columns and sophisticated frenzies. Balconies, central entries and covered porches were also a signature outside of these homes. The interiors were often adorned with ballrooms and formal staircases.
By 1840, New Orleans was the third largest city in the United States and was also among the most prosperous cities. It also boasts the largest slave market in the country. Baton Rouge replaced New Orleans as the state's capital in 1849. The 1860 census reported that 47 percent, or 311, 726 were slaves.
The state also had one of the largest concentrations of free blacks at 18,647.The slaves were constructed Louisiana's first levees. Irish immigrants later widen the levee system and added height, as much as 20 feet at some points. In 1860 there was approximately 450 miles of levees on the outlets of the Mississippi and 740 miles actually on the river. In January 1861, Louisiana seceded from the union; Federal troops captured New Orleans in 1862.
In 2008, the estimated population of Louisiana is 4,410,796 according to the United States Census Bureau. The four largest cities are: New Orleans, (454,863), Baton Rouge, (222,064), Shreveport (198,874) and Lafayette (112,030). The $168 billion per year economy ranks Louisiana 24th in the United States.
The Port of South Louisiana, which is situated on the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, is the largest port in the United States and the 4th largest in the world. Its bulk cargo port is also number one in the world. The state's primary agricultural products include cotton, soybeans, sugar cane and sweet potatoes. It also has industries, such as coal, food processing and transportation equipment.
Tourism and cultural events pump an estimated $5.2 billion into the Louisiana economy each year. As previously mentioned, the historical antebellum homes, located near Natchitoches and New Iberia, are major attractions. People also flock to Cajun country in the Mississippi Delta and Chalmette State Park. The state capital is also a tourist destination.BookIt.com is an online travel company determined and dedicated to becoming the leader in providing travelers with the most intuitive online booking experience full of relevant information, helpful guides and travel tips. With the many new orleans la available, how can you determine which is right for your vacation? Visit online today and we'll help you narrow down the selection. Check out what our customers are saying about our resorts on YouTube. Like this one about Sole on the Ocean In Miami.
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