Louisiana

:For other senses of this word, see Louisiana (disambiguation).

Miscellaneous information

• State dog : Catahoula Leopard Dog
• State bird : Eastern Brown Pelican
• State flower : Magnolia
• State fossil : Petrified palmwood
• State tree : Bald Cypress
• State mammal : Louisiana Black Bear
• State wildflower : Louisiana Iris
• State reptile : American Alligator
• State insect: Honeybee
• State crustacean : Crawfish
• State amphibian: Green Tree Frog
• State food: Gumbo
• State songs: "You Are My Sunshine," "Every Man a King," and "Give Me Louisiana"
• State Tartan
• State drink: Milk
• State instrument: Diatonic Accordian
• State freshwater fish: Sac-au-Lait
• State Gemstone: Agate
• State Soil: Ruston
• State Colors: Blue, White, Gold
• State Pledge: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the state of Louisiana and to the motto for which it stands: A state, under God, united in purpose and ideals, confident that justice shall prevail for all of those abiding here.

The ancestors of Creoles generally came to Louisiana directly from France, Spain, or from the French colonies in the Caribbean and settled in New Orleans or in South Eastern Louisiana.

Related Topics:
Creole - France - Spain - Caribbean - New Orleans

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The ancestors of the Cajuns are the Acadians, a French-descended people of what are now New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada. When the British won the French and Indian War, the British forced all of the citizens to take a pledge of allegiance. Most Acadians declined and emigrated from Canada, most of them fleeing to the southwestern portion of Louisiana, centered in the region around Lafayette.

Related Topics:
Cajuns - Acadians - New Brunswick - Nova Scotia - Canada - French and Indian War - Lafayette

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There is also a distinct Spanish-descended group in Louisiana. The Islenos are direct descendants of Canary Islanders forced to migrate by the Spanish King beginning in the mid-1770s. There were intended to help guard the eastern approaches to New Orleans from invasion by the British. They settled in what is modern-day St. Bernard Parish, in the river passes east of the city, along an old mouth of the Mississippi River which they named Terre aux Boeufs (literally "Land of the Cows" for the cattle living there). Many of their descendants remained insulated from the city, and continued to speak an archaic version of Spanish well into the 20th Century. They still maintain contacts with the Canary Islands, and have an annual "Caldo" festival named for a native dish.

Related Topics:
Islenos - Canary Islanders - St. Bernard Parish - Terre aux Boeufs - Caldo

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For almost 20 years there was only one small amusement park in Louisiana, called Hamel's Amusement Park in Shreveport, which is now mostly closed. There is now a Six Flags in New Orleans East.

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Since Louisiana is under constant threat from hurricanes, the Louisiana State Police are sponsoring a contraflow lane reversal program in order to evacuate the New Orleans metropolitan area as quickly as possible.

Related Topics:
Hurricane - Contraflow lane reversal program - New Orleans

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Louisiana's license plates include the motto "Sportsman's Paradise," which emphasizes the state's opportunities for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. The motto is often used in state tourism campaigns.

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