State Seal

The state seal of Louisiana features the brown pelican tearing at its breast to nurture its young, and the state motto: Union, Justice, and Confidence. Previous versions of the state seal had as many as 12 chicks in the nest. And though pelicans are exceptionally attentive, nurturing parents, they do not tear at their own flesh to feed offspring in hard times. The brown pelican is a prominent symbol of Louisiana - it is the official state bird, appears on Louisiana's state flag, the official state painting, and is one of three symbols displayed on the U.S. Mint's Louisiana bicentennial quarter.

State Insect

Louisiana designated the honeybee as official state insect in 1977. Bee pollination is critical to plant and human survival - beeswax and honey are just surplus gifts from this tiny wonder of nature. The plant world expends a lot of energy attracting bees and other insects with brilliantly colored flowers and sweet nectar. The honeybee is recognized as an official state symbol in seventeen states. Honeybees play an important role in nature. Honeybees live in hives of up to 80,000 individuals.

State Mammal

The Louisiana black bear was designated the official state mammal of Louisiana in 1992. The US Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Louisiana black bear as threatened in 1992. Once common, biologists estimate the current population to be only 3-400 animals. There are 16 recognized subspecies of black bears in North America. Louisiana black bears are black, some with a white "blaze" on the chest. Adult males weigh from 250 to over 400 pounds, with body length up to 6 feet. Males may range over 100 square miles seeking food, refuge, den sites, and mates. Females are smaller and range much less. Louisiana black bears survive mostly on berries and acorns - they are not active predators.

Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana and its second-largest city. The seat of East Baton Rouge Parish, the city is located on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River.As the "Capital City," Baton Rouge is the political hub for Louisiana. It the second-largest metropolitan city in the state, with a growing population of 229,426 people as of 2013. The metropolitan area surrounding the city, known as Greater Baton Rouge, has a population of 820,159 people as of 2013. The urban area has around 594,309 inhabitants.

Duck Dynasty

Duck Dynasty is a TV show on A&E. This show is filmed in North Louisiana. This family owns a company called Duck Commander. They make and sale duck calls. All of the men in this family have long beards. This family is very passionate about their Faith and love for The Lord.

New Orleans

New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana. New Orleans is a major port for the United States. This city was established in 1976. It has been used as a major port for boats and cargo ships for a long time. Louisiana was a very sought after state because of the major port. New Orleans is the birth place of Mardi Gras.

Natchitoches

Natchitoches is a very historic city. It has the Cain river that runs straight through it. This city is also home of the meat pie festival. It is also know as the city of lights. This is because of the elaborate Christmas light display in December. Natchitoches is where the movie Steel Magnolias was filmed.

State Tree

The State tree for Louisiana is a Bald Cypress. Cypress trees most commonly grow in the swamp. My dad owns a nursery and we grow bald cypress and pond cypress. Moss is usually found growing on cypress trees. A Pond cypress grows little things called cypress knees. A bald Cypress does not. Cypress trees are beautiful trees that are found all over Louisiana.

Louisiana Leaders

The governor of Louisiana is Bobby Jindal. The Attorney General is Buddy Caldwell. The Secretary of State is Tom Schedler. The capital of Louisiana is Baton Rouge. One of the colleges is Louisiana State College.

Festivals

Louisiana is known for many festivals. The most famous festival is Mardi Gras.  On Mardi Gras there are parades all over Louisiana. Other festivals celebrated are the Nursery festival, Frog festival, Pecan festival, and the Strawberry festival. Festivals are an important part of the Louisiana culture. At some of the festivals the have Carnival rides and vendors that sale stuff. Such as the nursery festival, different nursery’s in Forest hill come and sale trees. 

Sports

Sports are very popular in Louisiana. This is why Louisiana is sometimes known as the “sportsman’s paradise.” Football is probably the most known and played sports across the state. Other sports such as baseball, soccer, softball, and basketball are also well played throughout Louisiana. In Louisiana we also have some very dedicated hunters and fishers. 

Music

 New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz. Jazz is a kind of music with strong rhythms and much syncopation, often improvised. Brass bands and piano players helped create this new sound. Jazz has spread across the planet, an ambassador for Louisiana culture. This Blues are based on black folk music, especially on the chants of the black workers on the plantations. This is also a type of music related to Louisiana.

Religion

The first religion in Louisiana was Roman Catholicism. After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Protestantism was introduced to the territory. Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians were later joined by other Protestant sects such as Lutherans, who were often German immigrants. Members of the Jewish faith have come to Louisiana at various times. Some of the more recent immigrants have brought Buddhism and Islam to Louisiana.

Food

Louisiana has many different types of food. Many seasonings are used in Louisiana food. Some of the main seasonings include cayenne pepper, tony chachere's, and zatarain's. The food most identified with South Louisiana is Cajun and Creole food. The food most identified with the North is more like fried chicken and barbecue. Some examples of food in Louisiana include gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, rice and gravy.

State Painting

The official painting for Louisiana was painted in 1995. The original painting hangs in the State Capital. There is also a copy of the painting that hangs in the Governors Mansion. The painting has a lot of gold, white, and blue colors in it which are the state colors. The painting includes all of the symbols of Louisiana in it. The painting took two people 10 years to complete.

State Flag

The state flag of Louisiana displays a white pelican nurturing its young by tearing at its own breast. The tearing represents blood. At the bottom of the flag it has our motto in blue letters which is "Union, Justice, and Confidence." The pelican has been a symbol of Louisiana since colonial times. In history, 10 different flags have been flown over Louisiana.

State Reptile

The state reptile is an alligator. It was named the state alligator in 1983. Alligators construct burrows, or "alligator holes" for shelter and hibernation. In the summer alligators are sometimes found in swimming pools. Alligators are a very important part of their ecosystem.

State Dog

The Louisiana state dog is a Catahoula Leopard dog. This was named our state dog in 1979. These types of dogs were bred to find livestock on all types of terrain. They are extremely athletic and protective. They were first bred by the Native Americans.

State Bird

The Louisiana state bird is a brown pelican. This bird appears on the state flag, the state seal, and the official state painting. This is why Louisiana is sometimes called the "Pelican State." The brown pelican plunges down from the sky to the water to catch its food. The brown pelican is a very unique type of bird.

State Flower

The Louisiana State Flower is a Magnolia. It was named the state flower in the 1900's. A magnolia is a hardwood tree that grows in the southeast United States. Its Lumber can be used to make furniture. The magnolia can also be called a little gem, bull-bay, or a big-laurel.