Louisiana is situated in the western south-central US.  Covering a total area of 47,751 sq mi (123,675 sq km), including 44,521 sq mi (115,309 sq km) of land and 3,230 sq mi (8,366 sq km) of inland water,  Louisiana ranks 31st in size among the 50 states in the US.

Louisiana is bordered on the North by Arkansas; on the East by Mississippi; on the South by the Gulf of Mexico; and on the West by Texas. The state's geographic center is in Avoyelles Parish, 3 mi (5 km) South East of Marksville. The capital of Louisiana is Baton Rouge.