Introduction to Geography of New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana, the seat of Orleans Parish, which shares the same boundaries, and largest city in Louisiana. The city lies between the Mississippi River on the south, Lake Borgne on the east, and Lake Pontchartrain on the north, about 100 miles (160 km) upstream from the mouth of the Mississippi River in the Gulf of Mexico. New Orleans is a leading port and a commercial and cultural center of the southeast.

General Description

The highest part of the city is only 25 feet (8 m) above sea level; parts of it lie below the river level. Thus, floods have long been a threat, and the city is protected by an extensive system of dikes.

The original settlement was made along a great bend of the river and the town soon was nicknamed “Crescent City.” As it grew, New Orleans first followed the river south-westward, then expanded toward Lake Pontchartrain. Much industry is located near the river and along navigational canals branching out from the river. Many streets in the southern part of New Orleans follow the river bends, while those of the north tend to follow the pattern of the lake shore.

Manufacturing and Transportation

Manufacturing includes food-processing, petroleum refining, the building of ships and boats, and the making of chemicals, aluminum, clothing, wood and paper products, and construction materials.

The port of New Orleans, outlet of the Mississippi Valley, has been a major port since the 19th century. It ranks among the leading ports of the world; in the United States, it is second only to the Port of New York and New Jersey. Exports account for most of the international trade and include petroleum products, chemicals, iron and steel goods, rice, cotton, sulfur, and lumber. Imports are mainly crude petroleum, sugar, bananas, coffee, and bauxite. Port facilities extend along the Mississippi River and along the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, which links the river and Lake Pontchartrain. There are also port facilities along the Mis-sissippi River-Gulf Outlet, a ship canal to the gulf. Much barge traffic moves through New Orleans via the Intracoastal Waterway.

A number of railways serve New Orleans, particularly the port. West of the city is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (Moisant Field). Primary highways include Interstate 10. There are bridge and ferry crossings on the Mississippi River; Lake Pontchartrain is crossed by bridges at its east end and by the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, which is almost 24 miles (39 km) long.

Interesting Places

Each year thousands of tourists are drawn by the many historic, scenic, and recreational attractions of New Orleans. For the most part these center around the French Quarter (Vieux Carré, or “old square”) and the Mardi Gras festivities.

The Vieux Carré is the original city of New Orleans, begun by the French early in the 18th century. Many of its buildings show the influence of early French and Spanish culture, particularly in the decorative iron work of balconies and railings. The historic heart of this section is Jackson Square, called the Place d'Armes until 1851. Five historic buildings surround the square, including St. Louis Cathedral, first built in 1794. On its walls are several historic paintings, and many French and Spanish nobles are buried here.

Flanking the cathedral are the Presbytère and the Cabildo (once the headquarters of Spanish governors), both now museums. Facing each other across the square are the twin buildings of the Pontalba Apartments, built in 1849 to attract residents to the declining French Quarter.

Near the square is the six-block area of the French Market, dating from Spanish times, and Madam John's Legacy, a house built in 1726. The French Quarter is also a traditional center of American jazz, and has numerous nightclubs featuring jazz musicians. Just south of Jackson Square is the old wharf and port area, now renovated, with shops, restaurants, hotels, and places of entertainment. Among the attractions are Jackson Brewery, the Aquarium of the Americas, and the Riverwalk.

When Americans began arriving in the city after the Louisiana Purchase (1803), they found no welcome from Creoles (descendants of French and Spanish settlers). Thus they developed their own section, southwest of the French Quarter. The American section became known as the Garden District because of its large gardens. It has a number of elegant mansions, many of them built in the Greek Revival style during the city's prosperous days as a cotton center.

Thousands of tourists annually visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras and its accompanying festivities. Weeks of private balls and celebrations are climaxed by the main parade on Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday), the day preceding Lent.

Scenic attractions are preserved in the city's numerous parks, the largest of which is City Park, covering 1,500 acres (600 hectares) of a former plantation. In this park are a variety of recreational facilities and the New Orleans Museum of Art. The Chalmette Unit of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, on the site of the Battle of New Orleans (1815), contains a military cemetery. Audubon Memorial State Park contains the plantation where John James Audubon painted many of his birds. The park also has one of the largest zoos in the South.

The Louisiana Superdome is home to the Saints (professional football) and is the site of the annual Sugar Bowl collegiate football game. The New Orleans Arena is home to the Hornets (professional basketball).

Education and Culture

The largest universities here are the University of New Orleans (state), Tulane (private), Loyola (Roman Catholic), and Southern University in New Orleans (state). Two smaller universities are Dillard (private) and Xavier (Roman Catholic). The Medical Center of Louisiana State University is also here.

New Orleans has numerous cultural institutions. The New Orleans Museum of Art features paintings of the Renaissance and contemporary works. Leading musical organizations are the philharmonic symphony and the opera association. The collections of the Louisiana State Museum are housed in the Cabildo and the Presbytère. The Cabildo displays materials related to Louisiana history; the Presbytère is devoted to science and natural history. Other museums include the Louisiana Historical Association Confedorate Museum, the National D-Day Museum, and the Louisiana Maritime Museum.

Government

The government of New Orleans has features of both the mayorcouncil and commission forms. The mayor is elected for a four-year term and is limited to two consecutive terms. He serves as commissioner of public affairs. Seven commissioners are elected to the city council from districts, and each serves as head of a city department. The limits of the city are the same as the limits of Orleans Parish (county). There is some over-lapping of city and parish officials.