Florida

Florida is in the natural path for hurricanes that make their way over from the Atlantic. On average, hurricanes strike South Florida about once every 5.5 years, causing extensive amounts of flooding and property damage or even loss. "If Florida were to get a direct hit from a Category 4 or Category 5 hurricane, the damage would dwarf the damage done to New Orleans after Katrina. Even now, the coast of insurance to live in the hurricane-prone state is exorbitant" (Mayda).  

On average, New Orleans gets affected by hurricanes approximately every 2 years. When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, it was ranked a Category 5 while still in the Gulf Coast but thankfully decreased to a Category 3 once it hit the south end of Louisana. As it was ranked the costliest natural disaster and the fifth deadliest in United States history, this hurricane shattered the levee system, flooding about 80% of the city. Thankfully, the United States Coast Guard and the National Hurricane Center were both able to detect this hurricane's path, leaving time for the people of New Orleans to evacuate safely. Although this was the case, a large percentage of the population did not have the means or expense to evacuate, leaving them trapped in this fatal hurricane.

Mayda, Chris. A Regional Geography of the United States and Canada. Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Incorporated, 2012. 

South Atlantic

The South Atlantic region consists of 8 states - Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and it also includes the District of Columbia.

Although Louisiana is not included in this grouping, it is very close and therefore experiences some similarities to the states in the South Atlantic. The bottom half of this region shares the Gulf of Mexico with Louisiana, along with Mississippi and Alabama. Louisiana is technically considered part of the West South Central region along with Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. 

As with New Orleans, the South Atlantic region is very well-known for it's swamps. The two famous swamps in this region are the Okefenokee Swamp on the Florida-Georgia border along with the Dismal Swamp along the Virginia-North Carolina border. Because these states are covered in swamps and marshes, they are more susceptible to harsh weather conditions such as hurricanes. Below is a video of a swamp tour in Louisiana. You can see how the water levels rise and decrease by the water lines marked on the trees. 

 

Appalachia

Unlike the Appalachian area, coal is not a major part of the New Orleans economy. Yet, the city of New Orleans produced over 19 million tons of coal in 2012. All of Louisiana's coal is lignite and produced in the northern part of the state. In 2004, the state produced approximately 3.8 million tons of coal, worth about $75.8 million, ranking 19th in the nation's coal production. In 1812, lignite was discovered in Louisiana but was only used to provide fuel for steamboats and railroads. The market for coal was not in high demand, therefore Louisiana's oil and gas resource took over any interest in coal production.

Megalopolis

In recent years, New Orleans has greatly expanded into a megalopolis. With a population of 4.6 million, the state of Louisiana is home to major metropolitan areas. About 370,000 of that large population is based solely in New Orleans. The city of New Orleans is the first largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and the 45th largest metropolitan region in the United States. Although it is quite low on the list, it is ranked one of the denser metro areas. 

The North Atlantic Provinces

In comparison to the North Atlantic Provinces, New Orleans has a very warm climate. According to the textbook, temperatures rarely surpass 90ºF or drop below 1ºF. It also states that winters are long with continuous snow cover, the exact opposite of New Orleans. Shown below is a picture of New Orleans between the months of December-January.

Although New Orleans often receives large amounts of rain, it is a rare occasion for the city to experience snow. In the city, July is considered to be the warmest month of the year, yet it is also the month to receive the most precipitation. In the North Atlantic Provinces, the average precipitation is about 40-55 inches per year while in New Orleans, it is anywhere between 50 and 70 inches.

While lobster is the main export in Maine, it is also a huge part of the New Orleans culture. Back when the Europeans settled in the state of Louisiana, lobsters were the most common crustaceans and were considered "poor man's food." They were found on the beaches of Massachusetts, washed up on shore in two feet high piles. In the 1840's, the taste for lobster developed rapidly and commercial fisheries began to explode in Maine, hence the "Maine lobster." Around the 1850's, the first lobster shipment reached Chicago and the lobster industry only began to expand. Today, because the demand has become so high, lobsters are one of the highest priced market seafoods. 

Population

After Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, the population of New Orleans saw a huge temporary decrease. Hundreds of thousands were forced out of their homes until the city could stand back up. Over 70,000 families were living in provided FEMA trailers after the hurricane. Fortunately, in 2012, zero families were living in the FEMA trailers and the city was starting to get back to it's old self. 

In the 2000 census, the population of New Orleans reached approximately 484,000. They also found that the median age group was 30-35 years old and the primary race was African-American. After the 2010 census was conducted, it was found that the New Orleans population was actually decreasing, most likely an effect from Hurricane Katrina. They found in 2012 that the population of New Orleans had dropped down to approximately 369,000. They also conducted a study that found that the population decreased by about 200,000 after Katrina wiped out the city. 

The people of New Orleans are a very unique, rare find. They follow a culture unlike any other consisting of jazz, seafood, Mardi Gras, beignets, and the French Quarter lifestyle. The culture of New Orleans is one you have to see to believe. Being that the city was developed by the French, the architecture and atmosphere of the city simply oozes French style. The cajun aspect that the city brings to life is definitely hard to break. The people of New Orleans are constantly surrounded by spicy foods, swamp tours, and even having an alligator dish on the menu! It's a strong culture that takes a lot of getting accustomed to, but it is all worth it in the end. 

(French Quarter apartments)

Sustainability

When Hurricane Katrina hit in August of 2005, the state of Louisiana, mainly New Orleans, went into an economic downfall. The hurricane destroyed the state, leaving behind over $89 billion worth of damage. The hurricane, climate change, and extreme wetland loss all add up to there being a clear need for sustainability in the recovery process of New Orleans. 

With over 250 days per year of sunshine in New Orleans, the renewable resources are flourishing. The people of New Orleans depend on the reliability of renewable resources such as sun, wind, and water, especially when preparing for hurricane season. New Orleans is now working towards a more sustainable future. There are hundreds of companies that strive to have the New Orleans population leave a smaller carbon footprint. As with anything, it must start small. Whether it's cutting back on light use in the home or recycling materials, all efforts fight for a more sustainable environment.  

The Nonhuman World

Wetlands

What makes a wetland different from any other body of water is the fact that it is littered with vegetation and wildlife. Wetlands are the main habitats for a wide range of plant and animal life. Their main purpose serves as water purification, flood control, and stability for the shoreline. Unfortunately, in Louisiana, the wetlands are slowly disappearing. Because New Orleans is below sea level, the city truly depends on these wetlands to act as buffers from storms and hurricanes. "An average of 34 square miles of South Louisiana land, mostly marsh, has disappeared each year for the past 5 decades, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. As much as 80% of the nation's coastal wetland loss in thi time occurred in Louisiana. From 1932 to 2000, the state lost 1,900 square miles of land to the Gulf of Mexico" (Tibbetts).

Swamps

The swamp has not only been a huge factor in the development of New Orleans, but they have also become extreme tourist attractions for the city. A swamp is a wetland with saturated soils and standing water. This leads to a large amount of mold and algae growth. The rapid growth of swamps is usually connected to the low elevation, floodplains, and tidal surges.

The Mississippi River

The Mississippi River, running partially through Louisiana, is the primary river of the largest drainage system in North America. The river begins in the northern Minnesota region and slowly makes it's way down 2,530 miles to the head of the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River ranks as the 4th longest and 10th largest river in the world. Although the river's watershed drains into 31 US states, it mainly cuts through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. 

Source

Tibbetts, John. "A River and a City." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine,     26 June 2006. Web. 10 Oct. 2013.

Regions and Ecoregions

As shown in the picture above, Louisiana consists of 5 main regions. 

1. Sportman's Paradise - This region is full of wildlife, lakes, rolling hills, and dense forests. Therefore, it is a huge tourist attraction for those interested in fishing, bird-watching, and hunting.

2. Crossroads - Located in the center of Louisiana, this region was once considered the "No Man's Land" of the state. Although this region was not included in the Louisiana Purchase, it is now well-known for its beautiful natural habitat. The variation of landmarks in this region calls for many activities such as camping, fishing, hunting, and water sports. 

3. Cajun Country - This region of Louisiana may be the most culturally rich. The first French Canadians settled here and created a unique culture known for their food, dialect, and music. This region also consists of heavy swamp grounds, making it the perfect place for a swamp tour or crawfish boil dinner. 

4. Plantation Country - Home to the state's capital of Baton Rouge, this region consists of the most historical plantations. This region is mostly famous for these plantations, along with the many antique shops, churches, galleries, and museums. 

5. Greater New Orleans - This region is well-known for it's creative aspect. The artists, writers, and musicians' influence can be seen all over the cities in this region. The New Orleans area offers a little part of each region all in one. It offers exceptional architecture, a fun nightlife, shopping, fine dining, authentic music, streetcars, and riverboat rides.