Louisiana tourist / travel information

Louisiana is a Southern state of the United States. This state has strong French roots due to its French Colonial heritage. While the state has no declared "official language," its law recognizes both English and French. Today, English is by far the main language of everyday life, but French is spoken by nearly 5% of the population and its influence can be seen in local dialects and in many place names.

The state is bordered to the west by the state of Texas, to the north by Arkansas, to the east by the state of Mississippi, and to the south by the Gulf of Mexico. Its capital is Baton Rouge and the largest city is New Orleans.

In this state, every year takes place one of the most famous and important jazz events of the world, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. In 2001, the Festival celebrated Louis Armstrong’s centennial, and the total attendance eclipsed 650,000, shattering records for virtually every day of the Heritage Fair, including the all-time single-day attendance record of 160,000. As George Wein’s predicted in 1970 when the Festival was founded, New Orleans have became the first city of jazz festivals.

Louisiana diversity in cultures and ethnics has made this state a wonderful destination. In its five main regions you will find the beauty and hospitality. Visit the Greater New Orleans with its distinctive scenic beauty, the Plantation Country with his historic towns and rural customs, the Cajun County with its land of sugar cane, winding bayous and crawfish ponds. Also, don’t forget the Crossroads region and the Sportsman’s Paradise with its originalities too.