New Orleans
New Orleans ... Mardi Gras city
From its beginnings, New Orleans has been nothing but ordinary. To try to sum it all up would be a challenging task even for the brilliant at mind. New Orleans was destine to become well-liked, entertaining and wholehearted. It is one of the most written about cities in United States history.
New Orleans history started when a French adventurer by the name of Renee Robert Cavalier, Sieur de la Salle boated down the Mississippi River from Canada. He clamed the land we today know as Louisiana for France. The problem at first was no one wanted to reside on such low ground, so instead eyes turned to Baton Rouge. It wasn’t long before it became apparent that Baton Rouge just wasn’t the right place for a major port city. Thus once again people begun to look to the south of Baton Rouge, to the area we now know as New Orleans.
The French referred to New Orleans as the “Isle d’Orleans”, because of the rivers, lakes, and swamps that littered the countryside. Because of its slightly higher elevation, New Orleans became a popular destination for tourist on the Mississippi early on. Over time the city has been under several rules, including France, Spain, and America. By the 1830’s the city had three distinct main sections including: the original French Quarter, the American sector, and Fauberg Marigny.
The city has become incredibly successful over its being and will continue to do so in the future. It’s growth, economy; its very existence would be shaped by the one of nature’s glorious pieces of work, the Mississippi River. Throughout its geological history, the Mississippi has changed its track scores of times. Its delta, consisting mainly of much devoid of bedrock, is the very setting which New Orleans dwells on.
The Mississippi in all it’s glory and fame has brought devastating floods to the nation’s interior. To help control the destructive floods The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ was called in. Their presence in the region can be dated back to 1803 when the Corps original mission was to study the defense of New Orleans. The Army Corps recognized the importance of maintaining a safe river channel, the Mississippi River, which is the vital transportation link between the Gulf of Mexico and the nation’s heartland.
Because of their experience working with the River, the Army Corps seemed to be the best choice for this monumental task. Their focus was on four goals; levees, to direct flood waters; floodways, that provide an exit for excess flood water; channel improvement and stabilization, to improve the river’s capacity; and tributary improvements, maintenance of reservoirs, pumping stations and control structures.
Since the mighty Mississippi has been controlled, cities along its banks, including New Orleans, have grown and prospered. With growth comes money and inhabitants and there’s no lack of on these in New Orleans.
Today New Orleans is the largest city in the State of Louisiana with a population of roughly 476,492 (2001 Census estimates). Elevation in New Orleans ranges from 12 ft. above sea level to 5ft. below, making the average elevation 2 meters below sea level.
Tropical climate, lush in setting, architecture to be admired; New Orleans is a city whose very name evokes marvel and legends.
The largest tourist event in New Orleans is Mardi Gras. This yearly celebration does not fall on the same day ever year. If falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The first Mardi Gras celebrations took place in 1827. It has since become the largest free party on the planet!
New Orleans has many attractions that are sure to interest you. Bourbon Street, found in the French Quarter, is known for its lively nightlife. Royal Street, the ‘Main Street’ of the French Quarter, is absolutely awe-inspiring with its cast-iron galleries and touch of Greek revival. You can swing by the Mardi Gras Museum or the New Orleans Jazz Exhibit and learn about the history of Jazz. There is even a Historic Voodoo Museum which is quite remarkable.
The Garden District has much to offer including Audubon Zoological Gardens, knows for its large collection of exotic wildlife. If these points of interest don’t excite you then maybe you’ll want to visit the Aquarium of the Americas. This extraordinary aquarium puts you face-to-face with numerous tropical specimens. Bringing the kids along? There’s a Children’s Museum which can make a rainy day seem not so gloomy. Whatever your idea of fun and excitement is, New Orleans is sure to have something waiting for you.
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