New Orleans is one of the largest cities in the United States and a very attractive tourist destination. Its geographical features and vibrant mix of cultures have given it a distinctive style that combines French, Spanish, Caribbean, African and American influences. Moreover, even a long stay in this city is fraught with more and more new discoveries: colorful parades, colorful street vendors, special architecture, Creole gardens and much more.
New Orleans is the birthplace of American opera, jazz music and Louis Armstrong himself! It is worth noting that the Americans themselves nicknamed this city “foreign”, since in spirit it is more similar to European, and most of all, French.
It must be said that after Hurricane Katrina, some suburban neighborhoods of New Orleans are still in a rather depressing state. However, the main part of it, on the contrary, looks as if no disaster ever happened.
Region |
Louisiana State |
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Population |
343,829 (2010) |
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Population density |
759 people/km² |
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$, USD (American dollar) |
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Time zone |
UTC-5 in summer |
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Postal code |
70112-70119,70121, 70131,70139-70143,70145,70146,70148-70154,70156, 70167,70170,70172,70174-70179,70181 70190,70195 |
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International dialing code |
Climate and weather
In New Orleans, the weather conditions are formed by a humid subtropical climate, characterized by mild winters and hot summers. The average temperature in January is +11...+ 17 °C, and in July - +26...+33 °C. The average annual precipitation is 1630 mm, with the bulk of it occurring in the summer, with October being the driest month.
The best time to travel to New Orleans is considered to be from late November to June.
Nature
Located in the southwestern United States, New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana. It lies on the picturesque banks of the river Mississippi, not far from its confluence with Gulf of Mexico. In the north the city is bordered by a lake Pontchartrain, and in the east - with the above-mentioned bay. The total area of New Orleans is 907 km², of which only 51% is land.
Attractions
In New Orleans, almost every neighborhood is an island of unique culture with important historical monuments. One of the most interesting places was the magnificent French Quarter with many beautiful mansions. The street is considered its center Bourbon, where popular nightlife spots, restaurants and luxury hotels are located. Among other attractions in this area, it is necessary to highlight Jackson Square with Saint Louis Cathedral, which is made in the original architectural style. Also worth noting French market and New Orleans Mint, which now houses a museum.
Well, in general, New Orleans has a huge number of different cultural institutions, galleries and exhibition centers. For example, an interesting collection is collected in National World War II Museum. Also very noteworthy Contemporary Arts Center, where exhibitions of talented artists, photographers and sculptors are constantly held. In addition, it is recommended to visit:
- The New Orleans Museum of Art, which houses a rich collection of paintings from various eras,
- Museum of Religion,
- Ogden Museum of Southern Art,
- Museum of Family and Children,
- Museum of Nature,
- Mardi Gras Festival Museum.
Other attractions worth mentioning are:
- Old Ursuline Convent Monastery,
- ancient cemeteries of Saint Louis and Matairie,
- Federal Memorial Hall,
- bridge over Lake Pontchartrain,
- Tulane University Complex,
- mysterious Voodoo Temple.
In the vicinity of the city you can also find several interesting historical sites, for example, the town Shalmitt, where a battle took place in 1815, led by the famous General E. Jackson.
Nutrition
With over a thousand restaurants, bars and cafes, New Orleans is a true gourmet haven. Moreover, local establishments offer a wide variety of cuisine: European, Chinese, Mexican, Indian, etc. However, the most popular here are restaurants specializing in Creole dishes, brought here by the first colonists. In such establishments, first of all, it is recommended to try “ gumbo"(stewed seafood and vegetables with rice), " jambalaya"(ham with sausages, rice and tomatoes), " etoufi" (stew) and red beans. In addition, in New Orleans you can always enjoy a variety of seafood dishes, such as crab soup, baked oysters, fried shrimp and mussels.
Also the pride of local chefs is “ beignets"(a kind of donuts) and " muffulettas"(original sandwiches). It is worth noting that the desserts here are also not at all similar to the American ones: buns, croissants, cakes, popsicles and ice cream.
The most common beverages include fruit and vegetable juices, milkshakes, sodas, iced tea and coffee. If we talk about alcohol, then it has a wide choice: from first-class bourbon to specific beer.
Accommodation
New Orleans has a wide variety of hotels and hotels, both old and recently opened. They are located mainly in the central part of the city, since some suburban areas have still not been fully restored after Hurricane Katrina. The cost of living, as elsewhere, depends on the category of the establishment, as well as its location. The city has many very cozy and very inexpensive hotels that are scattered throughout its territory, for example, Queen & Crescent Hotel(from $45) or O'Keefe Plaza Hotel(from $67). Also here, as in any major American city, there are luxury hotels ( Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans) and budget hostels ( AAE Bourbon House Mansion).
Entertainment and relaxation
In addition to historical sites and museums, New Orleans has a number of different entertainment venues, so you definitely won’t get bored in this city. For example, there is a magnificent zoo here Audubon, where animals live in spacious enclosures that fully correspond to their natural habitat. Not far from the zoo there is a city aquarium Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, offering a variety of colorful fish, as well as an interesting collection of birds, frogs and giant sea turtles. Those who prefer to spend time in nature should definitely visit the beautiful with many ancient trees, benches, gazebos and walking paths. Moreover, it is ideal not only for a relaxing pastime, but also for active sports. It is worth noting that in order to explore it completely, you will need at least a whole day. Smaller but no less beautiful is Audubon Park, which boasts numerous fountains and statues, as well as lush vegetation. In addition, it is perfectly equipped for cycling, walking and walking. Fans of eco-tourism and hiking are recommended to visit the National Park Jean Lafitte with many hiking routes, and for nature lovers - a botanical garden New Orleans Botanical Gardens, on the territory of which there is a wonderful collection of roses, orchids, ferns and other exotic plants.
In addition, New Orleans can boast of an abundance of discos, nightclubs, bars, pubs and jazz clubs that are open until dawn.
Purchases
For those who love shopping, New Orleans is ready to offer a large selection of a wide variety of stores offering all kinds of goods: from the most ordinary to the very original. First of all, it is recommended to go to French Quarter, where the most popular shopping, luxury boutiques, jewelry stores and souvenir shops are concentrated. Also in this area there is a colorful French market, simply amazing with the abundance and selection of its products. Moreover, you can walk for hours through its rows, where merchants offer various delicacies, art objects, clothes, dishes, original items and much more. It is worth noting that prices in this market are very attractive.
In addition, it is worth visiting shopping centers Riverwalk And Oakwood Center, within the walls of which there is a great variety of shops and fashion boutiques. In addition, high-quality fashionable clothing, accessories and much more can be found in stores on Jackson Brewery.
The city will also appeal to lovers of art and antiquity, as there are many antique salons and small galleries of young artists scattered throughout the city. In general, in New Orleans there are a large number of very interesting and rather unusual shops, for example, a voodoo goods store The Island of Salvation Botanica, where a mysterious and slightly terrifying atmosphere reigns. Moreover, voodoo dolls are considered one of the main souvenirs of the city, and the memory of the voodoo queen Marie Laveau is still alive here. Other popular souvenirs include colorful carnival costumes, masks and jewelry, which are sold in both specialized and regular stores.
Transport
The main public transport in New Orleans is red trams, whose routes run along the central streets of the city. They go quite often and always strictly adhere to the schedule. The fare on the tram is about $1.7.
In addition to trams, you can move around the city by buses, which are available almost 24/7 on weekdays, although they run a little less frequently on weekends. Travel tickets are sold at special kiosks and from drivers; their cost is also $1.7.
It is worth noting that for lovers of excursions it will be most convenient to travel on foot, since almost all the main tourist sites are located very close to each other.
Connection
There are telephone booths installed on all the streets of New Orleans, allowing you to make a call to any city in the world. Negotiations are paid for with coins and telephone cards, which can be purchased at any large store or post office.
Mobile communications are provided through a huge number of operators, and roaming is available to all tourists. It is worth noting that in the United States for the full functioning of communication it is necessary tri-band telephone.
Internet access is provided in almost all hotels and public institutions. In addition, there are a great variety of free and paid Wi-Fi access points.
Safety
Despite the mixture of different cultures and nationalities, for tourists, staying in New Orleans does not involve any serious dangers or troubles. At the same time, you should never forget about the basic rules of caution. For example, you should not carry large sums of money or very valuable things with you, and in public places you should be wary of pickpockets.
Business climate
New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana and the most important industrial center with its own port on the river Mississippi. The city's economy is mainly based on shipping and trade, with most local companies involved in shipbuilding, logistics and transport. In addition, New Orleans is a major center of the petrochemical and oil refining industry, since a huge amount of oil is produced in the Gulf of Mexico and processed at enterprises in this region.
Real estate
The consequences of Hurricane Katrina, which struck New Orleans, are still being felt, as this disaster caused enormous damage to the city, estimated at several tens of billions of dollars. However, today, after a long period of stagnation, the demand for local real estate is beginning to increase. Moreover, both newly built new buildings and old houses are popular here. Currently, you can buy an average-sized home for about $85,000, but the cost of houses damaged by the hurricane is still very low. However, in the future, analysts predict an increase in prices for all residential properties in the city.
New Orleans is home to a wide variety of music festivals and lavish celebrations:
- Essence Festival,
- Sugar bowl,
- International Jazz Festival,
- Southern Decadence,
- Dog Parade,
- Voodoo Music Festival, etc.
The main local festival, which is definitely recommended to attend, is Mardi Gras. It takes place every Tuesday before Catholic Lent and is a lush and colorful carnival. This holiday is very similar to the Slavic Maslenitsa and also symbolizes farewell to winter.
The city's distinctive features are its mixed Franco-Spanish Creole architecture, cultural interpenetration and multilingual heritage. New Orleans is famous for its cuisine, music (in particular, it is considered the birthplace of jazz), as well as annual festivals and carnivals (including the famous Mardi Gras). The city is often called one of the most unique in the United States.
New Orleans is located in southeastern Louisiana on both banks of the Mississippi River near its confluence with the Gulf of Mexico. The heart of the city is the French Quarter on the north shore. The city is united with Parish of Orleans into a single administrative unit.
Story
Origins
New Orleans was founded in the spring of 1718 by the French Mississippi Company by order of Jean-Baptiste Le Mont de Bainville on the lands of the Chitimacha people. It was named after Philip II, Duke of Orléans, who was then regent of France. Its title comes from the French city of Orléans.
The French colony was ceded to the Spanish Empire under the secret Treaty of Fontainebleau (1762). Having learned of this only in 1764, the French colonists did not recognize the agreement and drove out the Spanish governor in a revolt in 1768. However, the uprising was soon suppressed and in 1769 the Spanish flag was raised over the city.
US territory
In the 1850s, the position of the white French-speaking population was not threatened and remained a very vibrant community. French-language instruction was provided in two of the city's four school districts (all of which were white). In 1860 there were 13,000 free people of color in the city ( gens de couleur libres) - representatives of a class of free citizens, mostly of mixed origin, which grew during French and Spanish rule. According to the census, 81% of the population was classified as mulatto - a generalized term to denote varying degrees of mixing of ethnic groups. Largely French-speaking, they were artisans, the educated and professional class of African Americans. The majority of the black population was still enslaved - they were used as servants, port workers, apprentices, but most importantly - to work on the numerous sugar plantations located in the area.
Civil war
As the elite of the city's Creole population feared, the Civil War completely upended their way of life. In 1862, the city was occupied by a Northern fleet under the command of Benjamin Butler, a prominent government lawyer from the Massachusetts militia. He was later nicknamed "Beast Butler" by the people of New Orleans because of the edict he issued. Upon occupying the city, his troops were met with indignation and open hostility from southern women, which even led to skirmishes in the streets, after which he issued a decree that if such situations were repeated, such ladies would be regarded as prostitutes.
Butler also abolished the teaching of French in the city's schools. Statewide measures in 1864 and then after the war in 1868 further reinforced the English-only policy. By the time the dominant position of the English language was officially consolidated, it already dominated in the sphere of business and bureaucracy. By the end of the 19th century, the use of French began to decline. A new wave of Italian and German immigration also had an impact on this process. Despite this, by 1902, “a quarter of the city’s population used French in their daily communication, and another two-quarters understood French perfectly.” By 1945, many women of Creole origin (mostly of the older generation) spoke no English at all. Last major French-language newspaper L'Abeille de la Nouvelle-Orléans(The New Orleans Bee) closed on December 27, 1923 - 96 years after it began operations.
Since the city was captured at the very beginning of the war, it was able to avoid the widespread destruction caused to many other cities in the American South. The Union army gradually gained control of the coast, as well as the region north along the Mississippi. As a result, southern Louisiana was excluded from President Abraham Lincoln's Abolition Proclamation (which was primarily a military measure aimed at areas under Confederate control). A large number of former slaves from rural areas and a number of free citizens of color joined the ranks of the first black regiment raised during the war. Under the command of Brigadier General Daniel Ullmann (1810-1892), they became known as " Corps d'Afrique” (although the name predated the war and was applied to bands of free people of color, and the new group was primarily composed of former slaves). Later, in addition to them, “US Colored Troops” were formed, which by the end of the war played an increasingly important role in it.
XX century
The zenith of New Orleans' population and economy relative to other Southern cities occurred in the period before the outbreak of the Civil War. Since the mid-19th century, rapid economic growth began to influence all spheres of life, but the leading importance of New Orleans compared to other cities has steadily declined. The development of railroad and highway networks impacted river traffic, redirecting the flow of goods to other transport corridors and markets.
By the middle of the 20th century, New Orleanians clearly felt that their city was no longer the most advanced in the South. By 1950, Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta had overtaken New Orleans in size, and in 1960 it was eclipsed by Miami, even as New Orleans' population reached its all-time high.
As with other older American cities, highway construction and suburban development contributed to the movement of residents from the city center to new residential areas outside the city. The 1970 census recorded a record population decline since the city became part of the United States. The Greater New Orleans metropolitan area continued to grow, but at a slower rate than other major Sun Belt cities. Although the port's importance remained high, automation and the shift to container shipping cost many jobs. New Orleans' economy has always been more focused on trade and financial services than on industrial production, but even its small manufacturing capacity was seriously reduced after World War II. Despite some economic successes by city governments under Mayors Morrison (1946-1961) and Schiro (1961-1970), the metropolitan area's growth still lagged behind more vibrant cities.
XXI century
Hurricane Katrina
Nicknames - "Crescent City", "Big Easy" and "City that Care Forgot"; the unofficial motto is “Let the good days roll by” (French: Laissez les bons temps rouler). Considered the cradle of jazz, the birthplace of Louis Armstrong. Place of numerous jazz festivals. New Orleans is the setting of the popular folk song The House of the Rising Sun and the acclaimed satirical novel A Confederacy of Dunces by Pulitzer Prize winner John Kennedy Toole.
Geography
Satellite image of the city
New Orleans is located on the banks of the Mississippi, approximately 169 km upriver from the Gulf of Mexico and south of Lake Pontchartrain. The total area of the city is 907 km², of which only 468 km² is land. The city was originally protected by natural dams or was built on high ground along the Mississippi River. After the Flood Control Act of 1965 ( Flood Control Act of 1965) The US Army Corps of Engineers built levees covering a wide geographic region, including what had previously been swamps. Perhaps it was this human impact that led to the subsidence of the territory, however, this is still a matter of debate.
The city's main sports facility is the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, home of the Saints and home to the Sugar Bowl and other events. The stadium has hosted the final NFL game - the Super Bowl - seven times (1978, 1981, 1986, 1990, 1997, 2002 and 2013) and according to this indicator, the building holds the record among NFL stadiums. Another major sports facility in the city is the Smoothie King Center - the home arena of the Pelicans, Voodoo, and the venue for many events. The New Orleans Race Course is home to one of the oldest horse races in the country, the Fair Grounds Race Course. Student team competitions take place in the Lakefront Arena.
Every year, New Orleans hosts some of the most important college football matches - the Sugar Bowl and the New Orleans Bowl, as well as one of the PGA Tour Zurich Classic tournaments. In addition to Super Bowls, the city has also hosted other major sporting events, such as the Arena Bowl, the NBA All-Star Game, the college football finals, and the NCAA Final Four. In addition, the city annually hosts the Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras, the Crescent City Classic 10K race, and two other races.
New Orleans in art
The plot of the song Brown Sugar by The Rolling Stones takes place in New Orleans.
The plot of the last episode of the song Medley Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin takes place in New Orleans.
Twin Cities
Notes
- U.S. Census Bureau: Orleans Parish, Louisiana Archived July 31, 2014. (English)
- ArchINFORM
- 2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files - US Census Bureau, 2016.
- US Census Bureau http://www.census.gov/popest/data/counties/totals/2013/files/CO-EST2013-Alldata.csv
- US Census Louisiana Parish Population Estimates - 1 July 2008 (inaccessible link - story) . census.gov (March 19, 2009). Retrieved June 15, 2009. Archived May 7, 2009.
- Cultures that have significantly influenced New Orleans throughout the city's history include French, Native American, African, Spanish, Cajun, German, Irish, Italian, Jewish, Latin American, and Vietnamese. Multicultural history of New Orleans
- "Old Sober": How People Get a Hangover in New Orleans. BBC Russian Service (June 16, 2018). Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- Where to Listen to Jazz: From New Orleans to Melbourne. Buro 24/7 (May 16, 2017). Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- New Orleans: Birthplace of Jazz. PBS - JAZZ. Film by Ken Burns. Retrieved May 17, 2006.
- Behind the scenes of the film "Hurricane in the Bayou" (English). Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- Lewis, Peirce F. New Orleans: The Making of an Urban Landscape = New Orleans: The Making of an Urban Landscape. - 2003. - P. 175.
- Lawrence J. Kotlikoff, Anton J. Rupert. The Manumission of Slaves in New Orleans, 1827–1846 (English) (PDF). Southern Studies (1980). Retrieved July 18, 2018.
- , With. 166.
- Usticesi in the United States Civil War (English). The Ustica Connection (March 12, 2003). Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- Kevin Baker. The Future of New Orleans. American Heritage (April/May 2006). Retrieved July 22, 2018. Archived October 5, 2009.
- Marshall, Bob. 17th Street Canal levee was doomed, The Times-Picayune(November 30, 2005). Archived from the original on September 7, 2006. Retrieved March 12, 2006.
- America through Americanisms (US place names). Articles starting with the letter "P". Retrieved February 8, 2018.
- Nola.com
- History of the New Orleans Blaze (PDF). New Orleans Blaze (April 3, 2008). Retrieved September 27, 2008. Archived October 1, 2008.
- New Orleans and Major League Soccer? . ABC26 News. Retrieved August 26, 2007. Archived May 29, 2007.
- Lyrics of Elton John and Bernie Taupin's song “Medley” // The online illustrated Elton John Discography by David Bodoh
Links
| New Orleans in Wikiquote | |
| New Orleans on Wikimedia Commons | |
| New Orleans in Wikinews |
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There is a truly “European” city - New Orleans or the Big Easy, as the Americans themselves call it.
Brief history
Founded in 1718, the city of New Orleans became part of the French "low" Louisiana. And in 1762 it passed to Spain and was in its possession until 1800, after which it again passed to France. However, just 3 years later the city was sold to the United States.
For many years, New Orleans was the center of the slave trade in the United States. Therefore, the majority of the city's current population is African American (60.2%). The city is also home to numerous descendants of French, Spanish, and, to a lesser extent, Asians and Latin Americans.
Location and economy
New Orleans stands on the banks of the Mississippi near its confluence with the Gulf of Mexico. The city is bordered to the north by Lake Pontchartrain.
This location has a positive impact on the local economy. Just like several centuries ago, the Mississippi River remains one of the main waterways of the United States. Therefore, the city's port infrastructure plays a major role in its economy. First of all, it is a shipbuilding center. There are also many logistics and transport companies in the city. Due to its versatility, the Port of New Orleans provides services not only for container transportation, but also receives cruise and tourist ships. The latter, by the way, are also one of the most important components of the city’s economy.
Another “breadwinner” is the Gulf of Mexico, in which the state of Louisiana produces oil. New Orleans' proximity to the Gulf makes it a center for the oil refining and petrochemical industries. Louisiana's main international airport is also located in the suburbs. It is named after the great jazzman and New Orleans native Louis Armstrong. By the way, if you decide to fly to this wonderful city, I recommend buying air tickets to America online, through the website otelibileti.com - this way you can save a lot of time and money.
Climate
Most of the city is below or at sea level. Thanks to the humid subtropical climate, summers in New Orleans are hot and have high rainfall. But in winter there is little precipitation, and in general the weather at this time is very comfortable. Average daily temperatures in July are +28C, and in January +11C.
Hurricane season begins in June and lasts until November. The most devastating hurricane in the history of New Orleans was Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed most of the city. This tragedy occurred in 2005, then, due to a hurricane, there was a huge flood. As a result, up to 80% of the area was flooded. The population that lost their homes was in the tens of thousands. Many citizens left New Orleans, and subsequently did not want to return to it. Thus, the population of the city, “thanks to” the hurricane, decreased from approximately 485 thousand to 311 thousand. Even today, New Orleans has not fully recovered from this terrible disaster that occurred 7 years ago.
Streets and areas of the city
Like all major cities, New Orleans is divided into districts.
The oldest is the French Quarter, where the cultural and entertainment life of the city is concentrated.
One of its streets is the famous Bourbon Street. Next to the “French Quarter” is another old district called Treme.
The city also features the Central Business District, Uptown and bohemian Faubourg Marigny (known for its nightlife).
Attractions and entertainment
The second name of New Orleans – “Big Easy” – was given to the city for its atmosphere of freedom and carefreeness. And this is not surprising, because the city is literally bustling with nightlife, and you can find any kind of entertainment here.
Another feature of the city is its love for music and carnivals. It is here that various music festivals take place, as well as the famous Mardi Gras carnival. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is one of the most important events in the life of the city, attracting many tourists from all over the world. The carnival lasts about two weeks.
Of course, these are not all the attractions of New Orleans. The city has a lot of beautiful houses in old areas, several museums and a zoo.
The Southern United States is among the top 10 best regions to travel in 2018. New Orleans is one of the main cities in the region, and this year it turns 300 years old. We've put together a stack of reasons to fall in love with this city.
1. Cultural mix
When you get off the plane in New Orleans and take your first breath of local air, you immediately understand: this is the south, the tropics, a river, swamps and alligators. New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, one of the largest port cities in the United States, which has grown on both banks of the Mississippi River, in several of its bends, which is why it is also called “The Crescent City”. This city is also called the Big Easy - this can refer both to the easy life of musicians of the early jazz era, and to the period of Prohibition, when the entire city turned into one large speakeasy bar - and now it best characterizes the relaxed local atmosphere. However, most often you will see the short NOLA instead of the official New Orleans.
To understand where the local cultural mix comes from, first a paragraph of history. The city was founded in 1719 as a French colony (and named after the regent of France). The official date is unknown, but it is believed to have been May 7th. A couple of decades later, the French ceded the city to the Spaniards, and in 1803 it passed to the United States. At this time, half of the local population were African slaves, and the city itself was the first point where ships with those captured into slavery arrived. The first hundred years of the city's existence were shaped by Spanish and French cultures, which then mixed with the culture of people from Africa - first slaves, then free inhabitants, and with the culture of Creoles and Cajuns - local descendants of French and Spanish settlers with their own language.
In general, you can imagine what different traditions meet here. The result was a treat for everyone: unique architecture, music and food. Local architecture takes you either to France or to Spain: colorful small houses, high columns, balconies with patterned wrought-iron grilles, tropical plants blooming wildly on the terraces. From every open door comes jazz—or variations thereof. And the most popular local restaurants position themselves as establishments of Creole and Cajun cuisine. Pleasure for all senses at once.
2. Urban areas
New Orleans, like any city, has very different neighborhoods with different moods. The most famous is the French Quarter, the calling card of the city. You need to go there on foot: look at every beautiful house with lace balcony bars, look at the freaks and musicians on Bourbon street, which turns into one big club as the evening begins, and admire the windows of art stores on Royal street (it’s unlikely that you will buy these works of art, but they definitely deserve attention). When you're hungry, come to French market (French Market, 700-1010 Decatur St.) , stretching over six blocks, has traditional street food dishes, fresh fruit and delicacies like alligator on a stick. There you can sit in a cafe, listen to musicians or buy souvenirs. Try your luck at a legendary local Cafe du Monde (800 Decatur St.)- it's been selling coffee and donuts since 1862, closing only on Christmas or the day a hurricane passes too close. Why try your luck? Quite often, a line of people wanting to touch the legend wraps around this place.
Be sure to go to the Bywaters neighborhood “neighboring” the French Quarter - it is adjacent to the river, there are the same beautiful houses as in the French Quarter, but this is a residential and lively area that few tourists get to. So you look at the real life of city residents: a free library in the shape of a coffin on the street (there is also a skeleton inside), cats occupying the chairs on the veranda of the house, multi-colored beads on trees and mopeds. There are several beautiful cathedrals here, as if moved here from France or Spain, and a lot of street art (if you're lucky, you'll meet the artists themselves at work). Take a walk through the new Crescent park, which stretches like a crescent for three kilometers along the river on the site of former shipyards. Here you can meditate while looking at the colorful steamboats sailing along the Mississippi, take great photos of the city, take a free dance or fitness class, watch local runners and dog walkers, and admire works of modern art.
The rest of the city may not be so easy to reach. The sightseeing tour costs $30-$50, but we recommend that you buy a day pass (called a Jazzy Pass, available at Walgreens) - it costs only $3 and allows you unlimited rides on local trams and buses for 24 hours afterward. , how do you enter the date in the transport validator. You can get by with a one-time trip for $1.5, but prepare this amount without change. The streetcars in New Orleans appeared in 1893, and the current ones look like they were preserved from about the same time: small and wooden. Take the tram along the Mississippi Riverfront line, along Canal street to immerse yourself in the bustling city center, and in the Garden District to look at luxurious villas and huge spreading trees. It seems that they, like the city itself, are already three hundred years old. Branches hanging low over the road are not trimmed, but signs are hung warning about the maximum permissible height of cars.
Another cool area - Arts/Warehouse District, where, as expected, galleries and museums opened on the site of former trading warehouses. Come here for a museum day (more on that below).
Finally, another tram line will take you to the city park New Orleans City Park. You can wander around it all day: it is huge and has existed since 1854 - one of the oldest city parks in the United States. There is a botanical garden, a sculpture park, carousels, a Train Garden for train lovers, ponds and canals with picturesque bridges and trees (some local oak trees are 800 years old). Don’t miss Singing oak – a “wind chime” was hung on a powerful old tree, and now you can lie on the grass under it to the melodious chime. And if it suddenly turns out to be a rainy day, you can always spend it in the museum. NOMA, the New Orleans Museum of Art, is located right in the park and houses a collection of American and French works of art, as well as works from Africa and Mayan cultural objects. On the other side of the park is Lake Pontchartrain, the second largest salt lake in the United States, more like a sea. The bridge over it (Lake Ponchartrain Causeway) is the largest straight bridge over water in the world.
3. Museums
Most of the museums in the city are concentrated in the Arts/Warehouse District (we don’t count the already mentioned NOMA in the park). If you come with children, don’t bypass them Louisiana Children's Museum(420 Julia St), which consistently ranks first in all ratings of US children's museums. For lovers of contemporary art - Contemporary Arts Center (900 Camp St)– go not only to the exhibitions, but also to the souvenir shop, where you can drink coffee and choose cool books about the history of the city, feminism or photography and cinema. Directly opposite him - Odgen Museum of Southern Art (925 Camp St) for those who want to feel the spirit of the American South. If you want to learn about the American view of the history of World War II, go to the giant The National World War II Museum (945 Magazine St)– Many educational events and interactive exhibitions take place here. And small pharmacy museum (514 Chartres St) in a pharmacy in 1823 will be of interest to those who love old bottles and the cult of voodoo.
4. Jazz
Jazz was born in New Orleans. Music is perhaps one of the main reasons to go to this city. Jazz will be heard everywhere here - in shops, restaurants and just on the streets. Street musicians are the most charming, so don't spare them a couple of dollars for a performance. If you want to not only listen to live jazz, but also dance, go to parties in Allways Lounge (2240 St Claude Ave) or Dragon's Den (435 Esplanade Ave)– grab a cocktail and take part in a dance lesson along with the locals. You'll learn a couple of Charleston moves and you'll be able to hit the dance floor. Look for other proven jazz clubs. Another option for enthusiasts who are ready to listen to old records on headphones is a small jazz museum (400 Esplanade Ave). Free film screenings are regularly held here, and you can also attend a concert - check the schedule of events on the museum’s website. And, of course, don't ignore vinyl record stores.
5. Food
The region's cuisine, as you remember, is as wild a mix as the architecture: it is influenced by culinary traditions from Paris to Cadiz and the Congo. Look for places with traditional Cajun and Creole food - originally this was most often the food of the poor, but now these are popular dishes, including very noble versions. Here's what to try:
Gumbo- a thick seafood soup to which red peppers, onions, rice, okra and sausages have been added - in general, variations are possible.
Jambalaya- an attempt by Spanish settlers to recreate their native paella from local ingredients, which over time turned into a separate dish.
Rice with red beans- a traditional Creole dish. Local spices are not spared in it, so it can be quite spicy.
Oysters and seafood.
Sandwich po-boy with French bread, salad, local sauce and shrimp, oysters or meat. The name comes from poor boy, because it was a snack for poor local workers.
Separately, it is necessary to say about sweets - New Orleans inherited delicious confectionery traditions from France. Firstly, don't miss the local "donuts without a hole" in soft powdered sugar (beignets), and secondly, be sure to stop by one of the local candy stores (for example, Aunt Sally's or Southern Candymakers), where they make pralines, marshmallows, candies and handmade cookies. With chocolate-covered nuts, salted caramel, and desserts with names like “Mississippi Mud,” you can treat yourself to a sweet day and buy some gifts to take home.
6. Mississippi
The main river of the United States flows into the Gulf of Mexico a hundred kilometers from the city - and has always been an important part of it. The first steamship to sail through the Mississippi (in 1811) was called the New Orleans. In the 19th century, up to five thousand passenger and cargo ships passed along the river per year. Nowadays, you can still watch the ships sailing along the murky waters of the river - and you can even wake up at night from their horns echoing throughout the city. If you want to feel the atmosphere of the heyday of the steamship era, go sailing on pleasure ships Creole Queen And Steamboat Natchez(prices - $ 36-70 depending on the duration of the walk and musical accompaniment).
If you don’t want to shell out money, you can again use public transport and cross to the other side of the river on the ferry, which runs every half hour from the Canal Street Ferry Terminal for only two dollars one way (have money ready without change). True, this journey will only take ten minutes. On the other side, in Algiers point, you can take a walk among the quiet streets - this is the second oldest district of the city, where few tourists come - walk to a beautiful old church and eat warm pastries in a cafe Tout De Suit on the corner (347 Verret St.). Sit outside and watch the quiet life of the city: someone comes in for lunch, someone reads the bulletin board, where a poster for Justin Timberlake's new album sits next to a note written in multi-colored pencils about the sale of Girl Scout cookies.
7. Events
New Orleans hosts several cool festivals - if you're planning your trip, it's worth timing it around these dates. The most important event of the year is Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras– “Fat Tuesday”, the Tuesday before the start of Catholic Lent. Initially, it was a costume show to celebrate spring, which took place in the French Quarter - every year it became more colorful and more crowded, masks, moving platforms and the Carnival King, music and satirical performances were gradually added. Now it is a real carnival, when the whole city is buzzing. All houses are decorated with yellow-green-purple flags, glitter and flowers; trees and pillars are hung with beads, which are scattered by carnival participants - you will see them long after the end of the holiday. Mardi Gras usually falls in February or early March - you can check the exact dates for the next ten years. Are you coming at a completely different time of year? Check out the museum Mardi Gras World (1380 Port of New Orleans) to get a little feel of the carnival mood.
Mardi Gras is not the only event on the city calendar that is worth timing your visit with.
New Orleans has a relatively young history: before the Spaniards set their sights on the Mississippi Plain in the 16th century, it was home to the Natchez and Taensa Indians, whose ancestors were tribes of the Plaquemine culture. It is believed that the Spanish navigator Hernando de Soto (1498-1542) was the first to visit here in 1541 - as a pioneer, he declared that the lands belonged to the Spanish crown. However, the Spaniards were in no hurry to explore distant new possessions. This coastline was “rediscovered” in 1682 by the French explorer of North America, René-Robert Cavelier da La Salle (1643-1687). The French also did not formalize the rights to it for a long time, but by 1731 they secured them legally and gave their territory in the New World a name in honor of the “Sun King” Louis XIV (1638-1715), i.e. Louis, Louisiana. In 1718, the port of New Orleans was founded in the convenient river delta by the head of the French Mississippi Company, Jean-Baptiste de Bienville (1680-1767). It was also named in honor of the French monarch Philip II, Duke of Orleans (1674-1723), regent of the kingdom of France from 1715 to 1723. In 1722, the city became the capital of Louisiana.
Its development was facilitated by its favorable position, as well as the use of the fertile lands of the south for growing indigo, tobacco and rice. Private plantations flourished. New Orleans became a major slave trading center and a transit point for those whose masters lived up the Mississippi. The freed slaves settled here, and a layer of black population began to form in the city.
Seeing the potential of the colony, the Spaniards remembered their rights to it, and the French had to temporarily cede all of Louisiana to them.
This happened in 1764 following the results of the colonial war. But the Spaniards’ stay here was short-lived: in 1800 they returned its province to France, having failed to Spanishize the colony in a third of a century thanks to the large number of French refugees from Canada. This persistently French-speaking population formed a special group of residents - Cajuns (now this is the name for the local cuisine and New Orleans musical subculture). The Creoles gave the city a special flavor. The cocktail of ethnic groups was complemented by emigrants from Ireland, who were willingly hired to help quite expensive slaves.
Although the entire province, led by New Orleans, dreamed of remaining French and was so in spirit and lifestyle, Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) sold Louisiana to the United States in 1803 and by 1812 it became the 18th American state.
However, joining the new state did not save the city from the encroachments of Britain, which at that time had just ended the war with Napoleon and entered a new one, with America, continuing to see unfriendly possessions in Louisiana, albeit under a different flag. Therefore, England sent an 11,000-strong detachment led by E. Pakinham (1778-1815) with the goal of capturing New Orleans. They were opposed by the future US President General Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), who united the forces of the American army, militia, Kentucky shooters and pirates of the famous Jean Lafitte (7-1826). The battle, which ended in a decisive American victory, took place on January 8, 1815, when the peace Treaty of Ghent (December 24, 1814) had already been signed, but the news had not yet reached New Orleans.
Capital of Louisiana
The city is dangerously located below sea level (in some places up to 2 m). It is the third lowest in the United States, after Death Valley National Park and the Salton Sea. The level of flood waters was regulated by a complex system of dams, dams and canals, due to which the city's area almost doubled from 1950 to 1975. This feature of the location determined a number of specific features in the architecture and traditions of the city: for example, most buildings do not have foundations and owners are recommended to build a warehouse or garage on the ground floor, and the traditional burial of the dead in the ground is simply impossible. The result was a type of above-ground stone crypts designed for entire families - the “Cities of the Dead.” Some of these dark places were the cause of pilgrimage for tourists: for example, in New Orleans, as in the center where voodoo was widely practiced, the queen of magic of this type, Marie Laveau (1794-1881), was buried.
Geographical features combined with the city's vibrant mix of cultures resulted in a New Orleans architectural style that seamlessly blends French, English, Spanish, and American features with Caribbean and African sensibilities.
In different quarters, certain features predominated. The business district has historically been considered "American", with most of the streets connected to the city's central point, with the river being the defining characteristic. Local residents referred to the direction along one of the main streets of this area, Canal Street “down the river from Canal Street” was a movement towards the center of New Orleans, and “up the river from Canal Street” meant the path to residential areas, French the quarter was decorated with enfilade houses, decorated with Victorian-style mosaics, with twisted latticework balconies. The neighborhood was dominated by the planters' favorite type of Creole, typically Southern house, which had at least two, and often many, wide rooms and the obligatory porch with columns. An important attribute is the Creole garden with a gazebo, in which the active part of their life took place.
Before the destruction, New Orleans was the largest city in Louisiana and one of the main ports of the United States; in terms of cargo turnover (120 million tons/year), it was second only to New York, providing jobs for a third of the residents. A large amount of oil is produced on platforms in the Gulf of Mexico (BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Shell): the city has become the center of the oil refining and petrochemical industry. New Orleans became an aerospace center thanks to the NASA rocket complex built in the vicinity.
But gradually tourism played an increasingly important role in the economy. After all, New Orleans not only has colorful architecture and original cuisine, but also the birthplace of American opera, jazz and Louis Armstrong himself, the “film set” for many Hollywood films of recent years, as well as numerous music festivals (New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Ballet and Music Festival voodoo), lavish celebrations: Mardi Gras, Sugar Bowl, Southern Decadence, Essence Festival.
Today the city is being restored with the support of celebrities and politicians - everyone believes in its imminent revival.
General information
Largest city in the state, USA.Administrative division: 3 districts.
Languages: English, French.
Ethnic composition: African American - 60.2%, White - 33%, Hispanic - 5.3%, Asian - 2.9% (2010).
Religion: Protestantism - about 40%, Catholicism - 39.5%, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism - approximately 2-3% each, a small number of voodoo adherents, atheism - up to 10%.
Currency: U.S.
Largest river: Mississippi.
Largest lake: Pontchartrain.
Port:
Most important airport: international airport Louis Armstrong.
Numbers
Square: 907km 2.Population: 343,829 people (2010).
Population density: 379 people/km 2 .
48.5% of the city's area is its water space.
More than 70% of the city's area lies below sea level. After Hurricane Katrina, about 80% of New Orleans was under water. Before the flood, more than 82% of residential buildings in historical neighborhoods were built before 1935
About 85,000 people are employed in the tourism sector.
Economy
Tourism brings more than $5.5 billion into the city's economy, accounting for about 40% of tax revenue.Industry: oil and gas, aerospace, shipbuilding and ship repair, non-ferrous metallurgy (aluminum), metalworking, food (cane sugar, canned fruit, etc.), production of building materials. Fishing.
Agriculture: farm crop production.
Scope of services: tourism, trade, financial services, transport.
Climate and weather
Subtropical. Wet.Average January temperature: +11.4ºС.
Average temperature in July: +28ºС.
Average annual precipitation: 1630 mm. Hurricanes are frequent.
Attractions
■ French Quarter: Mardi Gras Carnival, Mardi Gras Museum and Park, Saint-Louis Cathedral (1794-1819), Old Ursuline Convent (the oldest building in the city, 1745), City Park ( the world's largest oak grove), the French Market (Café du Monde and Jazz Hall), exhibitions at the Tulane University complex, Bourbon Street, 19th century mansions, Jackson Square, the old New Orleans Mint;■ Museums: Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans Museum of Art (Crayfish), National World War II Museum, Family and Children's Museum, History Museum, Museum of Nature, Museum of Religion, Cocktail Museum, Cabildo (originally a Spanish administration building, where the "purchase" ceremony took place Louisiana, now the State Museum), Historical Voodoo Museum.
■ Parks: Audubon Park and Zoo, Aquarium of the Americas, Long View House and Gardens, New Orleans Botanical Garden, Thibodaux National Historic Park with Wetland-Kahoon Cultural Center, Wooldenburg Park, Global Wildlife Center, Rivertown Historic District, New Orleans Jazz Historic Park ;
■ Madam John's Legacy House (1727), the country's oldest Pontalba tenements (1849-1850);
■ "Natchez", "Creole Queen" and "Kayun Queen" - to get on these fun ships with live calliope music, lines line up along the embankment.
Curious facts
■ The New Orleans streetcar is a truly unique cultural phenomenon: it is the oldest streetcar line in the United States, immortalized in the Tennessee Williams play A Streetcar Named Desire. By the way, the described “Desire” tram line turned into a bus route in 1948.■ New Orleans legislation still has ridiculous laws: for example, it is strictly forbidden to tie crocodiles to hydrants. In the same city, a crime took place that was one of the most idiotic crimes of the 20th century: in 1901, robbers coveted the treasures of a mail train and, as it turned out, risked their lives for... 12,568 Christmas cards.
■ Perhaps, in the victory over the British, the city was helped not only by the American military and pirates, but also by heavenly patrons: according to legend, on the eve of an important battle with significantly superior British troops in 1815, New Orleanians prayed to the Virgin all night in the Ursuline convent. And a miracle happened: the small army of the city lost only eight people, having won a victory, and the residents, in gratitude, made two luxurious crowns from their jewelry for the Virgin and Child. In memory of the intercession of the divine patroness, her gilded statue in the Ursuline Chapel is crowned with those same crowns.
■ Director David Fincher killed two birds with one stone by setting his film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2006) in New Orleans: he immortalized the city on film and received significant tax breaks when filming for the studio. This is the second film filmed here since Hurricane Katrina.