Alexandria and Pineville sit on opposite banks of the Red River in central Louisiana. Alexandria is a parish seat of Rapides Parish. One tradition says the community was named for the daughter of settler Alexander Fulton; another says it was named for surveyor John Alexander.

Elevation : 82 feet

Land area : 26.4 square miles

Latitude : 31.29 N, Longitude: 92.46 W

Population : 45,693 (as on July 2005)

Attractions :

• Alexandria Zoological Park