Grand Ecaille, Louisiana facts for kids
Grande Ecaille is a small island located in Plaquemines Parish, which is like a county, in the state of Louisiana, United States. This island sits within a body of water called Lake Grand Ecaille. For many years, Grande Ecaille was known for a special factory built there in 1933. This factory was run by the Freeport Sulphur Company and was used to get a mineral called sulphur from the ground.
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Geography of Grande Ecaille
Grande Ecaille is found at specific coordinates: 29°22′48″N, 89°46′50″W. It is about 10 miles (16 km) west of a town called Port Sulphur. It is also about 71 kilometers (or 44 miles) away from the big city of New Orleans.
Low Elevation and Flooding
One important fact about Grande Ecaille is how low it is to the sea. The island is only about 3 feet (0.91 m) (or 1 meter) above sea level. This means that the land is very flat and close to the water. Because of its low height, Grande Ecaille is a place that can easily experience flooding. This happens often during storms or when the sea levels rise.
Sulphur Mining History
For many years, Grande Ecaille was an important place for getting sulphur. Sulphur is a yellow mineral that has many uses. It is used to make things like fertilizers for plants, chemicals for industries, and even some medicines.
The Freeport Sulphur Company
The Freeport Sulphur Company built a large factory on Grande Ecaille in 1933. This factory used a special method to extract sulphur from deep underground. The company played a big role in the economy of the area for many years. The sulphur mining operations brought jobs and activity to this quiet island.
