Louisiana Universities

Louisiana has many universities to offer students. The universities range from LSU (Louisiana State University), NSU (Natchitoches State University), ULL (University of Louisiana at Lafayette), LTU (Louisiana Tech University), etc. The universities are massive but small. Compared to other universities around the world, Louisiana has small universities. Even though they are small, they still offer the same things other colleges offer. Since I am graduating in 2016, the college that I am considering between is ULM ( University of Louisiana of Monroe) and NSU. 

State Dog

Louisiana's state dog is the Catahoula Dog.The short, single coat is colored in a merle or black/tan pattern. Some coats can be coarse, but most are short and tight. Color is an especially notable feature in this herder: eye color and coat color work in a very complementary and expressive way. The skull is broad and flat. The legs are solid and strong boned. The deep chest provides for good heart and lung capacity. 

State Bird

Louisiana's state bird is the Brown Pelican.The Brown Pelican is a comically elegant bird with an oversized bill, sinuous neck, and big, dark body. Squadrons glide above the surf along southern and western coasts, rising and falling in a graceful echo of the waves. They feed by plunge-diving from high up, using the force of impact to stun small fish before scooping them up. They are fairly common today—an excellent example of a species’ recovery from pesticide pollution that once placed them at the brink of extinction.

Activities

Louisiana outdoor adventure awaits you all along the Louisiana coast. If you bike, hike, explore, paddle, fish, golf, boat, bird or float, we have your outdoor adventure! If you like a good party at a festival weekend or just a quiet, scenic setting to take in nature's splendor. Hunting and fishing is and will always be the biggest thing here. Everyone enjoys it when we get together and do these things. Louisianians enjoy wild and more action based activities rather than having a tea party or something like that.  

Geography

The landscape of Louisiana is divided into three geographic land areas:

East Gulf Coastal Plain : The region lying to the east of the Mississippi River is called the East Gulf Coastal Plain. The land is marshy and rises slightly in the north to rolling hills. Mississippi Alluvial Plain : Stretching along the Mississippi River from Arkansas in the north to the Gulf of Mexico in the south, the Mississippi Alluvial Plain consists of ridges and hollows. The Mississippi Delta lying at the mouth of the Mississippi River consists of silt deposited by the river and is the most fertile area of Louisiana.

• West Gulf Coastal Plain : The region towards the west of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain is known as the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The area towards the south, along the gulf, is composed of barrier beaches. The northern section comprises marshlands, known as the Louisiana Prairies. Driskill Mountain, the highest point in the state, lies just forty miles from the Arkansas state line.

Festivals

Louisiana has many festivals held in this state. Some festivals are the Red River Revel Arts Festival, New Orleans Voodoo Fest, Festival of Bonfires, Strawberry Festival, and the Ozone Film Festival. Of course there are more festivals in Louisiana like the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. That is my favorite, because the weather is cold and there are fireworks. Louisiana has unique and fun festivals going on all year round that you should come and join in on. The fun never ends! 
Natchitoches Christmas Festival


New Orleans Voodoo Fest

Agriculture

Louisiana grows corn, grain sorghum, wheat/oats, sugarcane, and sweet potato. Our soybeans produce eighty gallons of oil per acre. Our cotton produces fifty gallons per acre. Louisiana has unique crops grown in the state. Due to the climate of this state, these crops are grown best here. Louisiana is best known for it's sugarcane, cotton, soybeans, and rice. It is also known for it's cotton, cattle, and calves.
  Sugarcane
 Cattle

 Rice

 Cotton

Famous People

We all think that famous people are mostly from or around California. We do not think that famous people can come from Louisiana, but some famous people did come from here. Ian Somerhalder came from Covington, Louisiana. Reese Witherspoon was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tyler Perry was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana where he held an abusive relationship with his father. The famous Ellen Degeneres was born in Metairie, Louisiana. There are plenty more where that came from too!
  Reese Witherspoon

 Ian Somerhalder
 Tyler Perry

  Ellen Degeneres

Movies Filmed In Louisiana

Louisiana is not known for much, which is sad to say. However, it is making it's way up to fame. Louisiana has it's fame moments when movie films film some of their movie clips in Louisiana. Pitch Perfect was filmed here once. That is a movie that most people know. 21 Jump Street was filmed in Louisiana. Some more films that have taken place in Louisiana are: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Aquamarine, Battleship, The Best of Me, Broken City, Fantastic Four, Pitch Perfect 2, Playing For Keeps, and so much more. Louisiana is slowly making it's way to the top.

Weather

Louisiana's weather is completely bipolar. The weather here is extremely humid. That is the only thing that is straightforward in Louisiana weather. In the mornings and at night, the weather is extremely cold. The weather changes quicker than you can blink your eye! Louisiana is located under Arkansas, which means it is in the South. The South does not really get much snow. Surprisingly, we have received snow. We have received snow quite a handful already in my lifetime. It was a memorable moment every time that it snowed. Chances are if it snows again, half of Louisiana will go wild! Not having snow every year makes snow more valuable. If we were to have it every year, we would not enjoy the cold as much; because we expect it. 

New Orleans Pelicans

Louisiana's NBA (National Basketball Association) team is the New Orleans Pelicans. The New Orleans Pelicans are not as heard of as the NFL players, or at least where I live. The Pelicans are a good team. They have a good history of winning their games a good bit. The players include: Anthony Davis, Austin Rivers, Eric Gordon, Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, Ryan Anderson, etc. These players are outstanding on the floor. I hope that throughout time, this team gets the fame they deserve!
 

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints is Louisiana's NFL (National Football League). The Saints won the Super Bowl in 2009. The New Orleans Saints were only in the Super Bowl series once. Being in the Super Bowl is a really good thing, but that does not define your team altogether if they are good or not. The Saints were and still are one of the greatest football teams regardless of how many times they have been in the Super Bowl. They were playing against Indianapolis Colts and won. The Saints this year are barely winning. That is incredibly sad to say, but is it not true? All I have heard from people is "They aren't a good team this year." or "They barely won!" Louisianians take football somewhat serious here. Saints will redeem themselves! That is what I believe! 

Food

I personally love Louisiana's food. It has a taste of spicy to most of it's dishes. I love how a lot of the foods taste, because it does not taste plain like most of the foods in other states. Crawfish is one of the most popular foods eaten in Louisiana. Crab is somewhat popular, just not as popular as crawfish.

  Sweet Potato boudin

Music

It's the birthplace of America's only indigenous art form—jazz—but Louisiana also is home to a host of musical styles ranging from country, gospel and blues to hip hop, rockabilly and rock 'n' roll. Most people, however, knows Louisiana as the birthplace of jazz. Jazz is the music that erupted when African and European traditions converged in America, and nowhere was that mix more potent than in New Orleans.
  

Holidays

On special days we celebrate! Louisiana has a unique holiday celebrated here. Mardi Gras is that special holiday. The official start of the Mardi Gras season in Louisiana is January 6th, also known as Epiphany. It’s a day we all look forward to, because King Cake makes its annual return across Louisiana, spreading cinnamon-sugary goodness wherever it appears. King Cake is entirely too good to miss out on. If you have yet to try it, I am going to bring you some!! Mardi Gras is celebrated because "Fat Tuesday," has grown in popularity in recent years as a raucous, sometimes hedonistic event. But its roots lie in the Christian calendar, as the "last hurrah" before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. 

Culture

Louisiana holds many diverse races in the state. Races that range from East Asians to African Americans to Irish people to French people. Louisiana holds a unique culture. It has a French based background. Louisiana reverted to France in 1800 and was sold by Napoleon to the U.S. in 1803. The southern part, known as the territory of Orleans, became the state of Louisiana in 1812. Since Louisiana reverted to France back then, we have many French based people, holidays, and traditions. That is why Louisiana is different when compared to other states. I personally love it!

Magnolia

Louisiana's state flower is the Magnolia. The Magnolia is a white and beautiful flower. The scent it leaves off is unlike any other. The flower became Louisiana's state flower in the 1900's. The flower has parts that are used in everyday life. The seeds are eaten by squirrels, opossums, quail, and turkey. The leaves, fruit, bark, and wood yield extracts with potential use in pharmaceuticals. The lumber is used to make furniture, pallets, and veneer. As you can tell, a Magnolia has it's benefits.

Introduction to Louisiana

Louisiana is a state in the south. It borders Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, and the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana is home to many people. It holds a good range of diverse people in the state. This state has unique holidays and traditions. When compared to some states, it will surely stand out due to its background. Louisiana is not only a state that replicates a boot, but it is my home! As much as I tell people I am moving far away, nothing compares to Louisiana. It will always be my first home. I know in my heart that I will most likely stay in Louisiana.