New Orleans, Louisiana

Geography and climate

New Orleans is located at {{coor dms|29|57|53|N|90|4|14|W|region:GR}} (29.964722, -90.070556){{GR|1}} on the banks of the Mississippi River, approximately 100 miles upriver from the Gulf of Mexico at 30.07°N, 89.93°W. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 907.0 km² (350.2 mi²). 467.6 km² (180.6 mi²) of it is land and 439.4 km² (169.7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 48.45% water.

Related Topics:
Mississippi River - Gulf of Mexico - United States Census Bureau - Km² - Mi²

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The city is located in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, between the Mississippi River in the south and Lake Pontchartrain in the north. The area along the river is characterized by ridges and hollows. Fields atop the ridges along the river are referred to as the "frontlands." The land contour slopes away from the frontlands to the "backlands", comprised of clay and silt. The Mississippi Delta, at the mouth of the Mississippi River, covers about 13,000 square miles (about 1/4 of Louisiana) and consists of silt deposited by the river, and is the most fertile area of Louisiana.

Related Topics:
Mississippi Alluvial Plain - South - Lake Pontchartrain - North - Mississippi Delta

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The city of New Orleans actually contains the lowest point in the state of Louisiana, and one of the lowest points in the United States, after Death Valley and the Salton Sea. Much of the city is actually located between 1 and 10 feet (0.3 to 3 m) below sea level, and as such, is very prone to flooding. Rainwater is continually pumped out of the city and into Lake Pontchartrain across a series of levees and dikes. However, if it rains more than 1 inch, or if there is a major storm surge, such as that caused by a hurricane, greater flooding can occur. Because of this, most of the cemeteries in the city use above ground crypts as opposed to underground burial.

Related Topics:
Louisiana - United States - Death Valley - Salton Sea - Sea level - Levees - Dikes - Hurricane - Cemeteries - Crypt

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The New Orleans Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), the 39th largest in the United States, includes the Louisiana parishes of Orleans (contiguous with the city of New Orleans), Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, and St. Tammany.

Related Topics:
Metropolitan Statistical Area - 39th largest - Louisiana - Orleans - Jefferson - Plaquemines - St. Bernard - St. John the Baptist - St. Tammany

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Cityscape

The Central Business District of New Orleans is located immediately north and west of the Mississippi River, and is historically called the "American Quarter." Most streets in this area fan out from a central point in the city. Major streets of the area include Canal Street and Poydras St. The term "downtown" refers to those parts of town that are downriver from the central business district. "Uptown" refers to those parts of town that are upriver from the central business district. Parts of the city that are located downtown include the world famous French Quarter (most noted as the central tourist district, with its array of shops, bars, and nightclubs along Bourbon Street), Storyville (now defunct), Treme, Faubourg Marigny, Bywater, the 7th Ward, and the Lower 9th Ward. Parts of the city that are located uptown include the Garden District, the Irish Channel, the University District, Carrollton, Gert Town, Fountainbleau, and Broadmoor.

Related Topics:
Central Business District - Canal Street - French Quarter - Bourbon Street - Storyville - Treme - Faubourg Marigny - Bywater - 9th Ward - Garden District - Carrollton

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Other major districts within the city include Bayou St. John, Mid City, Gentilly, Lakeview, Lakefront, New Orleans East, The upper 9th Ward and Algiers.

Related Topics:
9th Ward - Algiers

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Parishes located adjacent to the city of New Orleans include St. Tammany Parish to the northeast, St. Bernard Parish to the south, Plaquemines Parish to the southwest, and Jefferson Parish to the west.

Related Topics:
St. Tammany Parish - St. Bernard Parish - Plaquemines Parish - Jefferson Parish

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Climate

The climate of New Orleans is subtropical, with mild winters and hot, humid summers. In January, morning lows average around 43 °F (6°C), and daily highs around 62°F (17°C). In July, lows average 74°F (23°C), and highs average 91°F (33°C). The lowest recorded temperature was 11.0°F (-11.6°C) on December 23, 1989. The highest recorded temperature was 102.0°F (38.9°C) on August 22, 1980. The average precipitation is 59.74 inches (1520 mm) annually.

Related Topics:
Subtropical - Winter - Humid - Summer - December 23 - 1989 - August 22 - 1980

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On rare occasions, snow will fall, the most recent being on Christmas in 2004, during the 2004 Christmas Eve Snowstorm. On December 25, a combination of rain, sleet, and snow fell on the city, leaving some bridges icy. Before that, the last white Christmas was in 1954, and brought 4.5 inches (110 mm) to the city, its largest snowfall ever.

Related Topics:
Snow - Christmas - 2004 Christmas Eve Snowstorm - Rain - Sleet - Bridge - White Christmas - Inch

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