Monroe in Ouachita Parish was named after the first steamboat James Monroe to reach the city. It was here that Delta Airlines was born. It is also the first place west of the Mississippi to bottle coca-cola. Monroe is also famous for the oldest human dwelling site in North America, Poverty Point.. Monroe is still a small town at heart characterized by a calm and friendly atmosphere. Monroe has an average yearly temperature of 65 degrees F.

Land area : 28.7 square miles

Latitude : 32.51 N, Longitude: 92.09 W

Population : 51,914 (as on July 2005)

Attractions

• Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge
  
• Forsythe Park
  
• Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo