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New Orleans

New-Orleans-Travel-Guide-Travel-S-Helper

New Orleans, often referred to as NOLA or the Big Easy, is a consolidated city-parish situated along the Mississippi River in the southeastern part of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997, the 2020 U.S. census ranks this city as the most populous in Louisiana and the French Louisiana territory. It comes in third most populous city in the Deep South and twelfth most populous city in the southeast of the United States. For the Gulf Coast area of the United States, New Orleans serves as a major port and acknowledged commercial and economic hub.

Particularly Mardi Gras, New Orleans is known worldwide for its own music, Creole cuisine, distinct dialects, and yearly celebrations and festivals. Distinctive French and Spanish Creole architecture and vibrant nightlife along Bourbon Street define the historic center of the city—the French Quarter. Mostly because of its varied cultural and multilingual legacy, the city is regarded as the most unique among the United States. Thanks in great part to its active participation in the film business and popular culture, New Orleans has become known as “Hollywood South“.

Originally founded by French colonists in 1718, New Orleans was the territorial capital of French Louisiana until the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 brought it into line with the United States. From the Antebellum period until the post-World War II era, New Orleans ranked as the third most populous city in the United States by 1840 and held the title of largest city in the American South. High rainfall, low elevation, poor natural drainage, and proximity to several water bodies help to explain the city’s historical sensitivity to flooding: To protect the city, state and federal authorities have put in place an advanced system of levees and drainage pumps.

Late August 2005 saw Hurricane Katrina severely affect New Orleans, flooding over 80% of the city, killing more than 1,800 people, and uprooting thousands of citizens, so causing a population drop of more than 50%. Major rebuilding projects following Hurricane Katrina have helped to boost the city’s population. Gentrification has become a topic of discussion as new people buy homes in once cohesive neighborhoods, so uprooting long-standing residents. Moreover, high levels of violent crime continue in the city; New Orleans records 280 murders in 2022, which results in the highest per capita homicide rate in the US.

City and Orleans Parish are coterminous. Third most populous parish in Louisiana as of 2017, Orleans Parish comes behind East Baton Rouge Parish and surrounding Jefferson Parish. St. Tammany Parish and Lake Pontchartrain define the city and parish from the north; St. Bernard Parish and Lake Borgne from the east; Plaquemines Parish from the south; Jefferson Parish from the south and west.

Comprising a population of 1,271,845 in 2020, the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area revolves mostly around the city. Ranked 46th most populous metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the United States, Greater New Orleans is the most populous MSA in Louisiana as of the 2020 census.

New Orleans has a unique character molded by its rich history, cultural diversity, and resistance against natural disasters. The architecture, food, music, and celebrations of the region mirror the blending of French, Spanish, African, and American cultures. The city’s ability to rebuild and change after Hurricane Katrina is evidence of the will and fortitude of its people. Drawing millions of people yearly to experience its unique appeal and vibrant atmosphere, New Orleans continues to be a major cultural and economic center in the Gulf Coast.

United States Dollar (USD)

Currency

1718

Founded

504

Area code

383,997

Population

349.85 sq mi (906.10 km2)

Area

English

Official language

1 m (3 ft)

Elevation

UTC−6 (CST)

Time zone

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