Louisiana Facts and 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 | Ahn "Joseph" Cao |
| 3rd District | Charlie Melancon |
| 4th District | John Fleming |
| 5th District | Rodney Alexander |
| 6th District | Bill Cassidy |
| 7th District | Charles Boustany |
Electoral votes: 9
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: 4,410,796 (Source: 2008 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