Information obtained from infoplease.com
State abbreviation/Postal code: La./LA
Governor: Bobby Jindal, R (to Jan. 2012)
Lieut. Governor: Mitch Landrieu, D (to Jan. 2012)
Senators: David Vitter, R (to Jan. 2011); Mary Landrieu, D (to Jan. 2009)
Historical biographies of Congressional members
Secy. of State: Jay Dardenne (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
| 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 (2005 est.): New Orleans, 454,863; Baton Rouge, 222,064; Shreveport, 198,874; Lafayette, 112,030; Lake Charles, 70,555; Kenner, 69,911; Bossier City, 60,505; Monroe, 51,914; Alexandria, 45,693; New Iberia, 32,495
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, 454,863 (2005); Vernon, 1,328 sq mi.
State forests: 1 (8,000 ac.)
State parks: 35
Residents: Louisianan, Louisianian
2005 resident population est.: 4,523,628
2000 resident census population (rank): 4,468,976 (22). Male: 2,162,903 (48.4%); Female: 2,306,073 (51.6%). White: 2,856,161 (63.9%); Black: 1,451,944 (32.5%); American Indian: 25,477 (0.6%); Asian: 54,758 (1.2%); Other race: 31,131 (0.7%); Two or more races: 48,265 (1.1%); Hispanic/Latino: 107,738 (2.4%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 72.7; 65 and over: 11.6; median age: 34.0.
Selected famous natives and residents:
- Louis Armstrong musician;
- Geoffrey Beene fashion designer;
- Truman Capote writer;
- Kitty Carlisle singer and actress;
- Van Cliburn concert pianist;
- Michael De Bakey heart surgeon;
- Fats Domino musician;
- Donna Douglas actress;
- Louis Moreau Gottschalk pianist and composer;
- Bryant Gumbel TV newscaster;
- Lillian Hellman playwright;
- Al Hirt trumpeter;
- Mahalia Jackson gospel singer;
- Jean Laffite privateer;
- Dorothy Lamour actress;
- John A. Lejeune Marine Corps general;
- Elmore Leonard author;
- Jerry Lee Lewis singer;
- Huey P. Long politician;
- Wynton Marsalis musician;
- Jelly Roll Morton jazz musician and composer;
- Huey Newton black activist;
- Marguerite Piazza soprano;
- Paul Prudhomme chef;
- Howard K. Smith TV commentator;
- Ben Turpin comedian;
- Ray Walston actor;
- Edward Douglas White jurist.