New Orleans is in southeastern Louisiana, on the Mississipi River about 60 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico. New York City is 1,340 miles northeast, Miami 885 miles southeast and Los Angeles 1,920 miles west. The original settlement was founded by the Frencman Sieur de Bienville and named for the Duke of Orleans.
In 1762, against the wishes of its French inhabtants, New Orleans was ceded to Spain. In 1803 it was retroceed to France and only twenty days later ceded to the United States under the terms of the Louisiana Purchase. The city’s strategic position has twice subjected it to military assault.
In 1815, General Andrew Jackson successfully defended it against a British attack at the Battle of New orleans – the final engagement of the war of 1812. In 1862, the city, then a Confederate stronghold, was captured and occupied by Union forces. But its strategic position has also brought New Orleans prosperity and today it is the chief cotton market of the United States and one of the great ports of the world.
New Orleans prides itself on being the ‘Most Interesting City in the United States’ and the claim is not unjustified. Famous for its Creole cuisine and fine restaurants, its Vieux Carre (Old French Quarter), its night clubs and ‘dixieland jazz’ the city does have a great deal to offer the tourist. Its personality, easy to sense but difficult to describe – is a mixture of sophistication, ‘honky-tonk’ and Southern hospitality – all blended to make New Orleans the unique American city it is.
Most of the city’s commercial activity is concentrated near the foot of Canal street beginning at the Mississipi River front and running northwesterly. Industrial installations are scattered throughout the outlying areas of the city. Moisant International Airport is 11 miles northwest of the city. Travel time about 50 minutes.
Visits: 191
