Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase describes the United States acquisition of more than 529,911,680 acres (2,144,476 km2) of territory from France in 1803 for about $3/sq. mile or $11,250,000 (which, if adjusted for inflation, would equal approximately $193 million in 2005).

Boundaries

The boundaries of "Louisiana" were not defined, and the land itself generally unknown, which led to the Lewis and Clark expedition. In particular France refused to specify the southern and western boundaries, not wanting to step on Spain's toes.

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The estimates of what lay where were based on the explorations of Robert LaSalle.

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Northern boundary

The northern reaches extended to the equally ill-defined British possessions in the north, what is now Canada. The boundary was not worked out until the Anglo-American Convention of 1818 split the two countries at the 49th parallel.

Related Topics:
Anglo-American Convention of 1818 - 49th parallel

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Eastern boundary

The eastern boundary of the Louisiana purchase was the Mississippi River, from its source to the 31st parallel; the source of the Mississippi was then unknown, but is now known to be Lake Itasca in Minnesota. The eastern boundary below the 31st parallel was unclear, the U.S. claimed the land as far as the Perdido River. (Today, the 31st parallel is the northern boundary of the western half of the Florida Panhandle, and the Perdido is the boundary between Florida and Alabama.)

Related Topics:
Lake Itasca - Minnesota - 31st parallel - Perdido River - Florida Panhandle - Florida - Alabama

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Western frontier

The drainage basin west of the Mississippi River west to the Rocky Mountains

Related Topics:
Mississippi River - Rocky Mountains

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Southern boundary

Unclear, Adams-Onis Treaty began to lay down official dividing lines

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