Louisiana State Maps
These maps show Louisiana's Parishes, Cities, Federal Areas, Physiographic, and Ecoregions.

The Parishes of Louisiana and Their Name Origins
- Acadia Parish: Named after the Acadians (Cajuns) who settled the region.
- Allen Parish: Named after former Confederate Governor Henry Watkins Allen.
- Ascension Parish: Named after the Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church.
- Assumption Parish: Named for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- Avoyelles Parish: Named after the Avoyel Native American tribe.
- Beauregard Parish: Named after Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard.
- Bienville Parish: Named after Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, a founder of Louisiana.
- Bossier Parish: Named after Pierre Bossier, a 19th-century planter and politician.
- Caddo Parish: Named after the Caddo Native American tribe.
- Calcasieu Parish: Named for the Atakapa word "Quelquechose," meaning "crying eagle."
- Caldwell Parish: Named for Matthew Caldwell, a leader in the Texas Revolution.
- Cameron Parish: Named after Simon Cameron, a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania.
- Catahoula Parish: Named for a Choctaw word meaning "sacred lake."
- Claiborne Parish: Named after William C.C. Claiborne, the first U.S. governor of Louisiana.
- Concordia Parish: Named after a Latin word meaning "harmony" or "agreement."
- DeSoto Parish: Named after Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto.
- East Baton Rouge Parish: From the French term for "Red Stick," a boundary marker.
- East Carroll Parish: Named after Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- East Feliciana Parish: Named after Marie Felicité de Gálvez, the wife of Bernardo de Gálvez, the Spanish governor of Louisiana.
- Evangeline Parish: Named for the heroine of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "Evangeline."
- Franklin Parish: Named after Benjamin Franklin.
- Grant Parish: Named after Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States.
- Iberia Parish: Named after the Iberian Peninsula, a region of Spain and Portugal.
- Iberville Parish: Named after Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville, a French explorer who founded the colony of Louisiana.
- Jackson Parish: Named after Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States.
- Jefferson Parish: Named after Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States.
- Jefferson Davis Parish: Named after Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederate States.
- Lafayette Parish: Named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a French general who fought in the American Revolutionary War.
- Lafourche Parish: Named after the French word for "the fork," referring to the fork in Bayou Lafourche.
- LaSalle Parish: Named after René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, a French explorer.
- Lincoln Parish: Named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
- Livingston Parish: Named after Edward Livingston, a prominent jurist and U.S. Secretary of State.
- Madison Parish: Named after James Madison, the 4th President of the United States.
- Morehouse Parish: Named after Abraham Morehouse, a 19th-century settler and landowner.
- Natchitoches Parish: Named after the Natchitoches Native American tribe.
- Orleans Parish: Named after the Duke of Orleans, Regent of France.
- Ouachita Parish: Named after the Ouachita Native American tribe.
- Plaquemines Parish: From a French word meaning "persimmons" (the fruit common in the region).
- Pointe Coupee Parish: From the French term meaning "cut point," referring to a bend in the Mississippi River.
- Rapides Parish: Named after the rapids of the Red River.
- Red River Parish: Named after the Red River of the South.
- Richland Parish: Named for the fertile soil in the area.
- Sabine Parish: Named after the Sabine River, which forms part of the Louisiana-Texas border.
- St. Bernard Parish: Named after Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a French abbot.
- St. Charles Parish: Named after Charles Borromeo, an Italian saint and cardinal.
- St. Helena Parish: Named after Saint Helena, the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine.
- St. James Parish: Named after Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles of Jesus.
- St. John the Baptist Parish: Named after John the Baptist.
- St. Landry Parish: Named after Saint Landry of Paris, a French bishop.
- St. Martin Parish: Named after Saint Martin of Tours, a bishop and patron saint of soldiers.
- St. Mary Parish: Named after the Virgin Mary.
- St. Tammany Parish: Named after Tamanend, a Native American chief known for his peaceful relations with colonists.
- Tangipahoa Parish: Named after the Tangipahoa Native American tribe.
- Tensas Parish: Named after the Taensa Native American tribe.
- Terrebonne Parish: French for "good earth," referring to the fertile soil.
- Union Parish: Named to represent the federal union of the United States.
- Vermilion Parish: Named after the nearby Vermilion River.
- Vernon Parish: Named after Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington.
- Washington Parish: Named after George Washington, the 1st President of the United States.
- Webster Parish: Named after Daniel Webster, a prominent American statesman.
- West Baton Rouge Parish: Derived from the French term "Baton Rouge," meaning "Red Stick."
- West Carroll Parish: Named after Charles Carroll of Carrollton.
- West Feliciana Parish: Named after Marie Felicité de Gálvez, wife of Spanish Governor Bernardo de Gálvez.
- Winn Parish: Named after Walter Winn, a prominent early settler in the area.

Louisiana State Parish Sizes Map
Smallest Parish in Louisiana State
West Baton Parish: 202 sq miles
Largest Parish in Louisiana State
Plaquemines Parish: 1172 sq miles
Mean and Median Area of Parishes in Louisiana State
Mean Area: 673.9 sq miles
Median Area: 589.4 sq miles

Major Cities of Louisiana State and Their Locations
Most major cities in Louisiana are strategically located near water bodies or key historical routes. Some examples include:
1. New Orleans
Located near the Mississippi River, New Orleans is the largest city and a significant cultural and economic hub.
2. Baton Rouge
The capital city of Louisiana is situated on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River and has a long history of trade and government.
3. Lafayette
Lafayette is located in the southwestern part of the state, known for its rich Cajun and Creole culture, and proximity to the Vermilion River.
4. Shreveport
Located along the Red River in northwest Louisiana, Shreveport is a center of industry and commerce, close to the Texas and Arkansas borders.
5. Monroe
Monroe is situated in the northern part of the state along the Ouachita River, known for its historical importance in trade and its regional economic role.
6. Lake Charles
Lake Charles, located in southwestern Louisiana, sits near the Calcasieu River and is a hub for the petrochemical industry and gaming.
7. Houma
Located in the southern part of the state, Houma is near the Gulf of Mexico and is known for its fisheries and oil industries.
8. Alexandria
Alexandria is located near the geographic center of Louisiana, along the Red River, and serves as a cultural and economic hub for central Louisiana.
9. New Iberia
New Iberia, located along the Bayou Teche in the southern part of the state, is known for its sugarcane industry and historic charm.

Topographic Tour of Louisiana
Louisiana's topography is dominated by low-lying plains and river deltas. Below are its key topographic features:
1. Coastal Plains
The coastal areas of Louisiana are known for marshes, swamps, and estuaries along the Gulf of Mexico. These regions are prone to flooding and are vital for fisheries and bird migration.
2. Mississippi River Delta
This area near New Orleans consists of wetlands, making it a vital habitat for wildlife and a key area for flood management. It plays an essential role in shipping and industry along the Gulf Coast.
3. Red River Valley
Located in the northwestern part of Louisiana, the Red River Valley features gently rolling plains, which have been historically important for agriculture and transportation.
4. Sabine Uplift
The Sabine Uplift, in western Louisiana near the Texas border, is a geological feature consisting of elevated land, home to forests and hilly terrain not common elsewhere in the state.
5. Bayou Teche
Bayou Teche is a scenic waterway that winds through south-central Louisiana, cutting through low-lying plains and providing a glimpse of the state's unique bayou ecosystem.
6. Atchafalaya Basin
The Atchafalaya Basin, the largest swamp in the United States, is located in south-central Louisiana. It is a key feature of the state’s landscape, known for its wildlife diversity, wetlands, and cypress forests.
7. Kisatchie Hills
In the north-central region, the Kisatchie Hills provide a contrast to Louisiana’s otherwise flat terrain. These rolling hills and forests are part of the Kisatchie National Forest and are known for their rugged beauty.
8. Chenier Plains
The Chenier Plains, located along the southwestern coast, are ancient sandy ridges that rise slightly above the surrounding marshes. They provide critical habitat for migratory birds and help protect inland areas from coastal erosion.
9. Blufflands
The Blufflands are a series of narrow ridges and bluffs located along the eastern part of the state, near the Mississippi River. These elevated regions are rare in Louisiana and offer a stark contrast to the low-lying plains.

Physiographic Regions of Louisiana
COASTAL PLAIN, EAST GULF COASTAL PLAIN
This region features flat, low-lying lands near the Gulf of Mexico with rich wetlands and estuaries.
COASTAL PLAIN, MISSISSIPPI ALLUVIAL PLAIN
This region, shaped by sediment from the Mississippi River, supports extensive agriculture and diverse ecosystems.
COASTAL PLAIN, WEST GULF COASTAL PLAIN
This region features slightly higher elevations compared to the east, with forests and wetlands near the Texas border.

Notable Federal Lands: Some of the Largest and Most Fascinating Destinations in Louisiana
1. Kisatchie National Forest
This is the only national forest in Louisiana and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking and camping. It features rugged terrain, rolling hills, and scenic vistas.
2. Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge
Located near the Atchafalaya Basin, this refuge is vital for protecting Louisiana's unique wetland ecosystems and wildlife. It is a key habitat for the Louisiana black bear and other native species.
3. Sabine National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
Sabine NWR, located in southwestern Louisiana, is one of the largest coastal marsh refuges in the country. It provides critical habitat for migratory birds, alligators, and other wetland species, as well as fishing and bird-watching opportunities.
4. Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
Tensas River NWR, located in northeastern Louisiana, is known for its bottomland hardwood forests. It offers a glimpse of Louisiana’s rich wildlife and is a popular spot for hunting, bird-watching, and environmental education.
5. Delta National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
Situated at the mouth of the Mississippi River, Delta NWR encompasses over 40,000 acres of marshland. It provides critical habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, and other species dependent on Louisiana’s coastal ecosystem.
6. Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
Located near New Orleans, Bayou Sauvage NWR is one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the United States. Its wetlands are home to a diverse range of species and offer visitors opportunities for bird-watching, fishing, and nature exploration.
7. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
This park, located near New Orleans, includes cultural and natural resources that tell the story of Louisiana’s history. The preserve features wetland ecosystems where visitors can hike, canoe, and observe wildlife, while the park showcases the region’s cultural heritage.
8. Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
The Upper Ouachita NWR is located in northern Louisiana and is known for its floodplain forests, lakes, and streams. It provides critical habitat for waterfowl and offers outdoor recreation opportunities like fishing, hunting, and bird-watching.

Ecoregions of Louisiana
1. Coastal Plains and Flatwoods, Lower Section
This ecoregion includes flat, wet lowlands, making it ideal for rice and sugarcane farming. The region is dominated by wetlands, bayous, and marshes, supporting a variety of wildlife and plant species.
2. Coastal Plains and Flatwoods, Western Gulf Section
Characterized by forests, wetlands, and grasslands, this section supports diverse plant and animal life. Longleaf pine forests are common, and the area is known for its wildlife diversity, including migratory birds.
3. Mississippi Alluvial Basin Section
The Mississippi River’s floodplain forms this section, providing rich soils for agriculture and essential habitat for wildlife. This region is critical for waterfowl migration and is one of the most fertile agricultural areas in the state.
4. Upper Gulf Coastal Plain Section
Located in northern Louisiana, this region features gently rolling hills and upland forests. It is known for its hardwood and pine forests, as well as agriculture, including cotton and soybean farming.
5. Red River Alluvial Plains Section
Formed by the Red River’s floodplain, this section is characterized by fertile soils and is an important agricultural region for crops such as cotton, corn, and soybeans. It also provides habitat for a variety of wildlife.
6. South Central Plains Section
This ecoregion, known for its pine forests and hardwood bottomlands, is located in the northwestern part of Louisiana. Timber production and wildlife conservation are key components of the landscape, along with recreational opportunities like hunting and fishing.
7. Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Section
This section, located near the Mississippi River, is characterized by its loess soils, which are wind-deposited. These fertile soils support hardwood forests and agriculture, including corn and soybeans, while also providing important habitat for wildlife.