Louisiana
laapostille.Com

Capital: Baton Rouge

State abbreviation/Postal code: La./LA

Governor: Bobby Jindal, R (to Jan. 2012)

Lieut. Governor: Jay Dardenne, R (to Jan. 2012)

Senators: David Vitter, R (to Jan. 2017); Mary Landrieu, D (to Jan. 2015)

U.S. Representatives: 7

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: Tom Schedler (to Jan. 2012)

Treasurer: John Neely Kennedy, D (to Jan. 2012)

Atty. General: James D. Caldwell, D (to Jan. 2012)

Organized as territory: March 26, 1804

Entered Union (rank): April 30, 1812 (18)

Present constitution adopted: 1974

Motto: Union, justice, and confidence

State symbols:

flower magnolia (1900)

tree bald cypress (1963)

bird eastern brown pelican (1958)

songs “Give Me Louisiana” and “You Are My Sunshine”

Nickname: Pelican State

Origin of name: In honor of Louis XIV of France

10 largest cities (2010): New Orleans, 343,829; Baton Rouge, 229,493; Shreveport, 199,311; Metairie, 138,481; Lafayette, 120,632; Lake Charles, 71,993; Kenner, 66,702; Bossier City, 61,315; Monroe, 48,815; Alexandria, 47,723.

Land area: 43,562 sq mi. (112,826 sq km)

Geographic center: In Avoyelles Parish, 3 mi. SE of Marksville

Number of parishes (counties): 64

Largest parish by population and area: Orleans, 343,829 (2010); Vernon, 1,328 sq mi.

State forests: 1 (8,000 ac.)

State parks: 35

Residents: Louisianan, Louisianian

2010 resident population: 4,533,372

2010 resident census population (rank): 4,533,372 (25). Male: 2,219,292 (48.4%); Female: 2,314,080 (51.6%). White: 2,836,192 (62.6%); Black: 1,452,396 (32.0%); American Indian: 30,579 (0.7%); Asian: 70,132 (1.5%); Other race: 69,227 (1.4%); Two or more races: 72,883 (1.6%); Hispanic/Latino: 192,560 (4.2%). 2000 population 18 and over: 3,415,357; 65 and over: 557,857; median age: 35.8.

Tags:  state population resident union orleans pelican largest parish rouge baton