Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
readmitted to the Union in 1868, and the next 30 years saw political wrangling, economic
stagnation and renewed discrimination against African Americans.
In the 1920s, industry and tourism developed, but so did a tradition of unorthodox and
sometimes ruthless politics; in 1991, former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke ran for
Governor against Edwin Edwards; Edwards, a famously colorful and corrupt politician.
Edwards won the race and was eventually convicted on racketeering charges.
Hurricane Katrina (2005) and the BP Gulf Coast Oil Spill (2010) significantly dam-
aged the local economy and infrastructure. Louisiana remains a bottom-rung state in
terms of per capita income and education levels, yet on the flip side, ranks high in nation-
al happiness scales.
Information
Sixteen welcome centers dot freeways throughout the state, or contact the
Louisiana Of-
fice of Tourism
(
800-993-7515, 225-342-8100;
www.louisianatravel.com
)
.
Louisiana State Parks
( 877-226-7652;
www.crt.state.la.us/parks
; primitive/premium sites
$1/18)
Louisiana has 22 state parks that offer camping. Some parks offer lodge accom-
modations and cabins. Reservations
( 877-226-7652;
http://reservations2.usedirect.com/
LAStateParksHome
/
)
can be made online, by phone, or on a drop-in basis if there's avail-
ability.
LOUISIANA FACTS
Nicknames
Bayou State, Pelican State, Sportsman's Paradise
Population
4.6 million
Area
51,843 sq miles
Capital city
Baton Rouge (population 229,553)
Other cities
New Orleans (population 360,740)
Sales tax
4%, plus local city and county taxes
Birthplace of
Jazz, naturalist John James Audubon (1785-1851), trumpeter Louis
'Satchmo' Armstrong (1901-71), author Truman Capote (1924-84), musician An-
toine 'Fats' Domino (b 1928), pop star Britney Spears (b 1981)
Home of
Tabasco sauce, chef Emeril Lagasse
Politics
Republican stronghold with a very liberal large city (New Orleans)
