Louisiana sits above the Gulf of Mexico at the mouth of the
Mississippi River, bordered by Arkansas to the north,
Mississippi to the east and Texas to the west. Originally
colonized by the French during the 18th century, it became U.S.
territory as part of the historic Louisiana Purchase in 1803,
and was admitted to the union in 1812. Louisiana’s capital city
is Baton Rouge. It is also home to the historic port city New
Orleans, which is famous for its unique cuisine, jazz and
spectacular Mardi Gras festival. More to Explore New Orleans has
been the chief city of Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico's
busiest northern port since the early 1700s. Mardi Gras, also
known as Carnival, is a Christian holiday that has roots in
pagan festivals, and is famously celebrated in Brazil, Venice
and New Orleans. Stretching more than 3,000 miles from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, the United States of America is
comprised of 50 states, each with its own unique traditions and
history. Did You Know? Some natives of Lousiana conside