Capital, Baton Rouge |  Largest city, New Orleans
Statehood, Apr. 30, 1812 (18th state)
Nickname, Pelican State
Motto, Union, Justice and Confidence
 State bird, Eastern brown pelican
 State flower, magnolia |  State tree, cypress

Situated in the Deep South, Louisiana, the "Pelican State," has a colorful history and was named in honor of King Louis XIV. A strong French influence is still evident throughout the state--its capital city is named Baton Rouge, French for "red stick," because the French-Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville visited the area in 1699 and observed a red cypress post. Today the city of New Orleans is known for its Mardi Gras and jazz festivals.

Louisiana Profile 

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