Louisiana Facts & Symbols
Abbreviation
LA
Admitted to Union
April 30, 1812 (18th state in the Union)
Capital
Baton Rouge
Climate
Subtropical
Flag
Louisiana's flag, though used since the 1800s, was not officially adopted until 1912. The design consists of the pelican group from the state seal, in white and gold, and a white ribbon bearing the state motto, on a field of a solid blue.
State Seal
The state seal was adopted in 1902 and features a pelican tearing flesh from its own breast to feed its young. The pelican and its three young are surrounded by the Louisiana motto, "Union, Justice, Confidence."
Federal Delegation
2 members of the U.S. Senate:
7 members of the U.S. House of Representatives:
1st District | Steve Scalise |
2nd District | Cedric Richmond |
3rd District | Jeff Landry |
4th District | John Fleming |
5th District | Rodney Alexander |
6th District | Bill Cassidy |
7th District | Charles Boustany |
Electoral votes
Nine
Government
State Constitution of 1974 provides for 3 branches of government: Executive, Judicial, Legislative. The Executive Branch is headed by the governor who is elected for a four year term. The Judicial branch is headed by the Louisiana Supreme Court. The Legislative branch consists of 39 State Senators and 105 State Representatives. All are elected for four year terms.
Motto
Union, Justice, Confidence
Major Metropolitan Areas
Baton Rouge |
229,553 |
New Orleans |
223,338 |
Shreveport | 200,199 |
Lafayette | 114,214 |
Lake Charles |
70,224 |
Kenner | 66,592 |
Bossier | 61,306 |
Monroe | 51,555 |
Alexandria | 45,836 |
New Iberia |
32,981 |
Houma | 32,657 |
Slidell | 28,089 |
(Source: 2006 U.S. Census Update)
Nickname
Pelican State
Political Subdivisions
64 parishes (analogous to counties in other states)
Population
4,574,836 (Source: 2011 Census update)
State Bird
Eastern Brown Pelican
The brown pelican is Louisiana's official bird. Pelicans are famous for their large bill, the lower portion of which has a pouch that can be greatly extended.
State Tree
Bald Cypress
The state tree is the bald cypress. Its shape, which varies from columnar to conical (bottle-shaped), depends greatly on the amount and duration of flooding in the area. The bark is reddish-brown, fibrous, thin, and divided into small, flat ridges and shallow furrows. Leaves of the cypress tree spread in flat planes in the feathery pattern on its branches.
State Insect
Honey Bee
Crustacean
Crawfish
State Dog
Catahoula Leopard Dog
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is the official state dog. It is a cross of the domestic dog the Indians of the Catahoula Lake region raised and the Spanish "war dog" that came through the area in the early 1500s. The Catahoula has unusual glassy eyes, webbed feet, a spotted coat, and is gentle with children.
Drink
Milk
Flower
Magnolia
The large, creamy-white bloom of the magnolia tree was designated the state flower in 1900 because of its abundance throughout the state. The magnolia is an evergreen and the flower is unusually fragrant.
Fossil
Petrified Palmwood
Freshwater Fish
White Perch
Gemstone
Agate
Mammal
Black Bear
Musical Instrument
Diatonic Accordion, commonly known as the "cajun" accordion
Reptile
Alligator
Wildflower
Louisiana Iris(Giganticaerulea)
State Songs
Give Me Louisiana
Words and Music by Doralice Fontane
Arranged by Dr. John Croom
You Are My Sunshine
Words and Music by Jimmy Davis and Charles Mitchel