Abbreviation

LA

Admitted to Union

April 30, 1812 (18th state in the Union)

Capital

Baton Rouge

Climate

Subtropical

Flag

Louisiana's flag, though used since the 1800s, was not officially adopted until 1912. The design consists of the pelican group from the state seal, in white and gold, and a white ribbon bearing the state motto, on a field of a solid blue.

State Seal

The state seal was adopted in 1902 and features a pelican tearing flesh from its own breast to feed its young. The pelican and its three young are surrounded by the Louisiana motto, "Union, Justice, Confidence."

Federal Delegation

2 members of the U.S. Senate:

Mary Landrieu

David Vitter

7 members of the U.S. House of Representatives:

Electoral votes

Nine

Government

State Constitution of 1974 provides for 3 branches of government: Executive, Judicial, Legislative. The Executive Branch is headed by the governor who is elected for a four year term. The Judicial branch is headed by the Louisiana Supreme Court. The Legislative branch consists of 39 State Senators and 105 State Representatives. All are elected for four year terms.

Motto

Union, Justice, Confidence

Major Metropolitan Areas

(Source: 2006 U.S. Census Update)

Nickname

Pelican State

Political Subdivisions

 64 parishes (analogous to counties in other states)

Population

4,574,836  (Source: 2011 Census update)

State Bird

Eastern Brown Pelican

The brown pelican is Louisiana's official bird. Pelicans are famous for their large bill, the lower portion of which has a pouch that can be greatly extended.

State Tree

Bald Cypress

The state tree is the bald cypress. Its shape, which varies from columnar to conical (bottle-shaped), depends greatly on the amount and duration of flooding in the area. The bark is reddish-brown, fibrous, thin, and divided into small, flat ridges and shallow furrows. Leaves of the cypress tree spread in flat planes in the feathery pattern on its branches.

State Insect

Honey Bee

Crustacean

Crawfish

State Dog

Catahoula Leopard Dog

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is the official state dog. It is a cross of the domestic dog the Indians of the Catahoula Lake region raised and the Spanish "war dog" that came through the area in the early 1500s. The Catahoula has unusual glassy eyes, webbed feet, a spotted coat, and is gentle with children.

Drink

Milk

Flower

Magnolia

The large, creamy-white bloom of the magnolia tree was designated the state flower in 1900 because of its abundance throughout the state. The magnolia is an evergreen and the flower is unusually fragrant.

Fossil

Petrified Palmwood

Freshwater Fish

White Perch

Gemstone

Agate

Mammal

Black Bear

Musical Instrument

Diatonic Accordion, commonly known as the "cajun" accordion

Reptile

Alligator

Wildflower

Louisiana Iris(Giganticaerulea)

State Songs

Give Me Louisiana
Words and Music by Doralice Fontane
Arranged by Dr. John Croom

You Are My Sunshine
Words and Music by Jimmy Davis and Charles Mitchel