Ten Interesting New Orleans Facts
With 336,644 residents in 2008, New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana, and Hurricane Katrina had a major influence on it. The floods of 2005 caused a considerable decline in the city's population. Hurricane Katrina severely impacted New Orleans, a city known for its Mardi Gras celebration, French architecture, food, music, and ethnic activities. Due to its extensive musical heritage, the city—which is situated between Lake Pontchartrain and Mississippi—is frequently referred to as the "birthplace of jazz". Ten significant geographic details about New Orleans are listed below. 1. Initially known as La Nouvelle-Orléans, Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville and the French Mississippi Company built New Orleans on May 7, 1718. It bears the name Phillipe d'Orléans, the head of state of France. After losing power in 1763, Spain ruled the area until 1801, at which point France regained sovereignty. 2. New Orleans's population is diversified and it grew quickly afte