New Orleans is situated in Southeastern Louisiana along the Mississippi River. It is nicknamed “Crescent City” because f its unique location around the curve of the Mississippi River. New Orleans is deeply connected with the Mississippi River. Canoes, rafts, paddle-wheels, and barges from mid-America converge at New Orleans from all over the world. Initially, New Orleans was populated mostly by French convicts. Today it has grown as a major economic center. People are generally sophisticated with high spirits. The city consistently appears on "Top Ten" lists as a vacation destination, mainly for its varied attractions and its fine cuisine.
Lakes and marshes constitue most of New Orleans. Lake Pontchartrain connects to Lake Borgne, a broad opening to the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana is divided into parishes rather than counties and New Orleans itself occupies the entirety of Orleans Parish, while metropolitan New Orleans extends west into St. Charles, St. John, and St. James; south into Jefferson, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes, and north into St. Tammany Parish, and into other parishes as well.
New Orleans has a humid, semi-tropical climate. While snowfall is rare, rain occurs throughout the year. Waterspouts caused by small tornadoes are frequently seen on nearby lakes.

Area: 181 square miles (2000)

Elevation: Ranges from 5 feet below sea level to 15 feet above; mean elevation, 5 feet above sea level

Average Temperatures: January, 51.3° F; July 81.9° F; annual average, 68.1° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 61.88 inches

Population: 454,863 (as on July 2005)

Local festivals include:

• Jazz & Heritage Festival - April 28-May 7, 2006
• Spirit of Humanity Festival - Oct. 8-15, 2006
• Voodoo Music - Oct. 28-29, 2006
• Mardi Gras
  

Attractions

• Jackson Square
• Jazzland
• Preservation Hall
• Aquarium of the Americas