Lafayette, Louisiana

Lafayette is a city located on the Vermilion River in Lafayette Parish, in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Lafayette is the parish seat. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 110,257. It is the fourth largest city in the state.

Related Topics:
City - Vermilion River - Lafayette Parish - U.S. state - Louisiana - Parish seat - 2000

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The city was founded as Vermilionville in 1821 by a French-speaking Acadian named Jean Mouton. It was later renamed for the Marquis de Lafayette, who assisted the United States during its Revolutionary War. The city's economy was primarily based on agriculture until the 1940s, when the petroleum and natural gas industry became dominant. The city is also home to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Ragin' Cajuns athletics. The college used to be called USL - The University of Southwestern Louisiana before the name change to simply University of Louisiana at Lafayette, UL Lafayette.

Related Topics:
1821 - French - Acadian - Marquis de Lafayette - United States - Revolutionary War - Agriculture - 1940s - Petroleum - Natural gas - University of Louisiana at Lafayette - Ragin' Cajuns

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Lafayette has a strong tourist industry, attracted by the Cajun and Creole cultures of the surrounding region and hosts the annual Festival de Musique Acadienne, Festivals Acadiens, and the annual Festival International de Louisiane. It also has one of the highest restaurant counts per capita of cities in the United States.

Related Topics:
Cajun - Creole - Festivals Acadiens - Festival International de Louisiane

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