New Orleans facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids New Orleans La Nouvelle-Orléans  (French) Nouvèl Orleans  (Louisiana Creole)
Consolidated city-parish
Central Business District Bourbon Street St. Louis Cathedral New Orleans streetcar Superdome University of New Orleans Crescent City Connection
Flag Seal Logo
Nicknames:  "The Crescent City", "The Big Easy", "The City That Care Forgot", "NOLA", "The City of Yes", "Hollywood South", "The Creole City"
New Orleans Location in Louisiana Show map of Louisiana New Orleans Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Louisiana
Parish	Orleans (coterminous)
Founded	1718; 307 years ago (1718)
Founded by	Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville
Named for	Philippe II, Duke of Orléans (1674–1723)
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
Area
• Consolidated city-parish	349.85 sq mi (906.10 km2)
• Land	169.42 sq mi (438.80 km2)
• Water	180.43 sq mi (467.30 km2)
• Metro	3,755.2 sq mi (9,726.6 km2)
Elevation	−6.5 to 20 ft (−2 to 6 m)
Population  (2020)
• Consolidated city-parish	383,997
• Density	2,267/sq mi (875/km2)
• Urban	963,212 (US: 49th)
• Urban density	3,563.8/sq mi (1,376.0/km2)
• Metro	1,270,530 (US: 45th)
Demonym(s)	New Orleanian
GDP
• Consolidated city-parish	.482 billion (2023)
• Metro	2.437 billion (2023)
Time zone	UTC−6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code(s)	504
FIPS code	22-55000
GNIS feature ID	1629985

New Orleans (also called NOLA or The Big Easy) is a famous city in Louisiana, USA. It sits along the Mississippi River in the southeastern part of the state. In 2020, about 384,000 people lived there. This makes it the biggest city in Louisiana.

New Orleans is known around the world for its special music, delicious Creole food, and unique ways of speaking. It also has many fun festivals, especially Mardi Gras. The oldest part of the city is the French Quarter. It has beautiful French and Spanish buildings and lively streets like Bourbon Street. Many people say New Orleans is the "most unique" city in the United States. This is because of its mix of cultures and languages. It's also called "Hollywood South" because many movies are filmed there.

French colonists founded New Orleans in 1718. It was the capital of French Louisiana. Then, the United States bought it in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. By 1840, New Orleans was the third largest city in the U.S. It was the biggest city in the American South until after World War II. The city often faces flooding because of heavy rain, low land, and nearby water. To protect it, a big system of levees and pumps has been built.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused huge damage. Over 80% of the city flooded. Many people had to leave their homes. Since then, the city has worked hard to rebuild. Its population has grown back. New Orleans is a special place with a rich history and culture.

What's in a Name? New Orleans' History and Nicknames

Before Europeans arrived, the Choctaw people called this area Bulbancha. This means "land of many tongues." It probably referred to the many languages spoken near the Mississippi River.

The name New Orleans comes from the French name, La Nouvelle-Orléans. It was named after Philippe II, Duke of Orléans. He was a leader in France from 1715 to 1723. The French city of Orléans was named after a Roman emperor. So, New Orleans also connects to that ancient name.

After a war, France gave Louisiana to Spain in 1763. The Spanish called the city Nueva Orleans. In 1803, the U.S. bought it from France. They kept the French name but changed it to New Orleans.

New Orleans has many fun nicknames:

• Crescent City: This name comes from the way the Lower Mississippi River curves around the city.
• The Big Easy: Musicians in the early 1900s might have used this name. It meant it was easy to find work there.
• The City that Care Forgot: This name suggests that people in New Orleans are relaxed and carefree.
• NOLA: This is a short way to say New Orleans, Louisiana.

New Orleans' Past: From Founding to Today

Early Days and Growth (1700s-1800s)

New Orleans was founded by the French on May 7, 1718. It was built on land where the Chitimacha people lived. The city quickly became an important port. During the American Revolutionary War, it helped American rebels by sending supplies up the Mississippi River.

Spain controlled New Orleans until 1803. Then, Napoleon sold it to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase. After this, the city grew very fast. People from America, France, and Creole backgrounds moved there. Later, many Irish, German, and Italian immigrants arrived.

In 1809, thousands of people came from Haiti. They were escaping the Haitian Revolution. This group included both white people and free people of color. Many of them brought enslaved people with them. This migration doubled the city's population. New Orleans became a city with a large Black population.

During the War of 1812, British forces tried to capture New Orleans. But General Andrew Jackson led a diverse group of soldiers. They included militia, U.S. Army regulars, and even local privateers like Jean Lafitte. They won the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815. This was a big victory for the Americans.

New Orleans was a major port for trade. It handled huge amounts of goods like sugar and cotton. These crops were grown using enslaved labor on large farms outside the city. Even with this, New Orleans had the largest and most successful community of free people of color in the nation. They were often educated and owned property.

By 1840, New Orleans was the richest and third-largest city in the U.S. Many German and Irish immigrants came in the 1840s. They worked hard at the busy port.

Civil War and Reconstruction Era

During the American Civil War, New Orleans was captured early by the Union Army. Because of this, the city was saved from the destruction that many other Southern cities faced. After the war, the government worked to rebuild the city.

The period after the Civil War was called Reconstruction. During this time, African Americans gained more rights. They could vote and hold public office. New Orleans even had public schools where Black and white students learned together. However, this period was difficult. There was violence as some white groups tried to stop Black people from voting.

By 1877, the federal government pulled its troops out. White leaders regained control. They passed Jim Crow laws that created racial segregation in public places. This meant Black people and white people were kept separate. Public schools became segregated again until 1960.

A group of free people of color tried to fight these laws. They took a case, Plessy v. Ferguson, to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1896. The court ruled that "separate but equal" was allowed. This made Jim Crow laws stronger and led to a difficult time for race relations in the U.S.

For many years, New Orleans also suffered from diseases like yellow fever. But medical advances in the 20th century helped solve this problem.

New Orleans in the 1900s

New Orleans was a very important city before 1860. It was the fifth-largest city in the nation. But over time, other cities grew faster. New Orleans' importance slowly decreased. New railways and highways meant less river traffic. This sent goods to other places. Many African Americans also left the city for better opportunities in the Great Migration.

By the mid-1900s, New Orleans was no longer the biggest city in the South. Cities like Houston and Atlanta grew larger. People also started moving from the city center to new homes in the suburbs.

Civil Rights Movement and Social Change

New Orleans was a key place during the Civil Rights Movement. In 1960, the city began to desegregate its schools. Six-year-old Ruby Bridges was the first Black child to attend an all-white school in the South. This was a very brave step. The Civil Rights Movement led to important laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These laws helped ensure equal rights for all people.

After these changes, the city's population became more African American. From 1980, the city elected Black leaders. They worked to improve life for the African American community. New Orleans also started to rely more on tourism for its economy.

Protecting the City from Floods

In the 20th century, New Orleans expanded into low-lying areas. An engineer named A. Baldwin Wood created a system of pumps to drain swampy land. This allowed the city to grow. However, these new areas were below sea level. This made the city more vulnerable to flooding.

Scientists realized that the city was at greater risk from hurricanes. In 1965, Hurricane Betsy caused floods and deaths. After a flood in 1995, the city improved its pumping system. But the loss of coastal wetlands also left New Orleans more open to strong storm surges.

New Orleans in the 2000s

Hurricane Katrina's Impact

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Most people had left the city before it arrived. But the federal levee system failed. This caused a huge disaster. About 80% of the city flooded. Thousands of people who stayed had to be rescued. Over 1,500 people died in Louisiana, mostly in New Orleans.

The city was closed to residents for a while. Then, Hurricane Rita came in September 2005. This caused more flooding in some areas.

Rebuilding and Recovery

After Katrina, many people moved away permanently. But there have been big efforts to rebuild the city. The population has slowly grown back. By 2010, many neighborhoods that did not flood were back to their original size.

New Orleans has also brought back its major events. The New Orleans Saints football team returned. The New Orleans Pelicans basketball team also came back. Big events like Mardi Gras and the Jazz & Heritage Festival were never stopped. The city has also hosted major sports events like the Super Bowl.

In 2017, a strong tornado hit parts of eastern New Orleans. It caused a lot of damage to homes.

New Orleans' Location and Climate

City Geography

New Orleans is located on the Mississippi River. It is about 105 miles (169 km) from the Gulf of Mexico. The city covers about 350 square miles (906 sq km). About half of this area is land, and the other half is water.

The city was first built on higher ground along the river. But over time, it expanded into lower areas. These areas were once swamps. Now, much of the city is below sea level. This makes it very vulnerable to flooding.

After Hurricane Katrina, the Army Corps of Engineers worked to improve the city's flood protection. They built stronger levees and floodwalls. These help reduce the risk from hurricanes. But experts say that no system can offer complete protection. Buildings in risky areas should be built higher.

City Layout and Architecture

New Orleans has a unique layout. The Central Business District is near the Mississippi River. It was once called the "American Quarter." Canal Street divides the city into "downtown" and "uptown" areas. Downtown is downriver from Canal Street. Uptown is upriver.

Famous downtown neighborhoods include the French Quarter and Tremé. Uptown neighborhoods include the Garden District and the University District.

New Orleans is famous for its special buildings. They show the city's history and different cultures. The city has many historic districts. These help protect the old buildings. You can see many styles of homes, like shotgun houses and Creole townhouses. The French Quarter has buildings with big courtyards and fancy iron balconies. St. Charles Avenue has large, beautiful homes from before the Civil War. New Orleans also has unique, above-ground cemeteries.

Tallest Buildings in New Orleans

New Orleans used to have mostly low buildings. People thought it was hard to build tall skyscrapers because of the soft ground. But new engineering made it possible. Today, most of the tallest buildings are in the Central Business District.

Name	Stories	Height
One Shell Square	51	697 ft (212 m)
Place St. Charles	53	645 ft (197 m)
Plaza Tower	45	531 ft (162 m)
Energy Centre	39	530 ft (160 m)
First Bank and Trust Tower	36	481 ft (147 m)

New Orleans Weather and Climate

New Orleans has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has short, mild winters and hot, humid summers. The average temperature in January is about 53°F (12°C). In July and August, it's about 83°F (28°C). The highest temperature ever recorded was 102°F (39°C). The lowest was 11°F (-12°C).

The city gets about 62.5 inches (159 cm) of rain each year. Summers are the wettest. It rarely snows in New Orleans. The last big snowfall was in 2008.

Hurricanes are a big threat to New Orleans. The city is at high risk because it is low-lying and surrounded by water. Also, the coast of Louisiana is sinking. This makes the city even more exposed to storm surges.

Who Lives in New Orleans?

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1769	3,190	—
1778	3,060	−4.1%
1791	5,497	+79.6%
1810	17,242	+213.7%
1820	27,176	+57.6%
1830	46,082	+69.6%
1840	102,193	+121.8%
1850	116,375	+13.9%
1860	168,675	+44.9%
1870	191,418	+13.5%
1880	216,090	+12.9%
1890	242,039	+12.0%
1900	287,104	+18.6%
1910	339,075	+18.1%
1920	387,219	+14.2%
1930	458,762	+18.5%
1940	494,537	+7.8%
1950	570,445	+15.3%
1960	627,525	+10.0%
1970	593,471	−5.4%
1980	557,515	−6.1%
1990	496,938	−10.9%
2000	484,674	−2.5%
2010	343,829	−29.1%
2020	383,997	+11.7%
2023 (est.)	364,136	−5.2%
Population given for the City of New Orleans, not for Orleans Parish, before New Orleans absorbed suburbs and rural areas of Orleans Parish in 1874, since which time the city and parish have been coterminous. Population for Orleans Parish was 41,351 in 1820; 49,826 in 1830; 102,193 in 1840; 119,460 in 1850; 174,491 in 1860; and 191,418 in 1870. Source: U.S. Decennial Census Historical Population Figures 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2013 2020 estimate

The population of New Orleans grew steadily until 1960. Then, it started to decrease. This was partly because people moved to the suburbs. After Hurricane Katrina, the population dropped a lot. But it has been growing back since then.

In 2020, New Orleans had about 383,997 people. The city is mostly made up of Black or African American residents (53.6%). About 31.6% are white. The number of Hispanic or Latino people has also grown. Many people from Mexico and Honduras have moved to the city. There is also a growing Vietnamese American community.

Languages Spoken in New Orleans

Most people in New Orleans speak English at home. But many other languages are also spoken. About 4.8% speak Spanish, and 1.9% speak Vietnamese. Some people also speak French.

Religious Beliefs in New Orleans

New Orleans has a strong Roman Catholic history. This is because of its French and Spanish past. Many Catholic schools were built. Catholic traditions are seen in street names, buildings, and festivals like Mardi Gras.

The city also has many other Christian groups. About 12.2% are Baptist. Other groups include Methodists and Episcopalians.

New Orleans is also known for its unique Louisiana Voodoo. This mixes African and Catholic beliefs. Marie Laveau was a famous voodoo practitioner. Even though it's linked to tourism, only a few people seriously practice Voodoo.

Jewish people have lived in New Orleans since the early 1800s. Today, about 10,000 Jewish people live there. There is also a small but growing Muslim community.

New Orleans' Economy and Jobs

New Orleans has one of the world's biggest and busiest ports. It's a major center for shipping and trade. The area also produces a lot of oil and gas. Many companies that work with oil and gas have offices here. New Orleans is also becoming a hub for technology.

The city has many colleges and universities. Over 50,000 students attend schools here. Tulane University is a top research university. New Orleans is also important for the health care industry.

The Port of New Orleans

New Orleans started as a trading center. It is still a very important place for moving goods by water. The Port of New Orleans is one of the largest in the U.S. Many companies that build ships, ship goods, or handle cargo are based here. The world's largest coffee-roasting plant, Folgers, is in New Orleans East.

New Orleans is close to many oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana is one of the top states for oil production. Many oil refineries and pipelines are in the area. Several big energy companies have offices in New Orleans.

Businesses in the City

The city is home to Entergy, a large power company. Other big companies with offices here include AT&T and IBM. The city also supports new small businesses and start-ups.

Tourism and Conventions

Tourism is a huge part of New Orleans' economy. It brings in billions of dollars and creates many jobs. In 2004, over 10 million people visited the city. New Orleans is a popular place for conventions and big events.

A 2009 survey called New Orleans one of "America's Favorite Cities." It was ranked first for things like spring break, nightlife, live music, and unique shops.

Fun in New Orleans: Culture and Life

Top Tourist Spots

New Orleans has many places to visit. The French Quarter is famous for its hotels, bars, and clubs. Key spots include Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, and St. Louis Cathedral. You can also visit the French Market and Café du Monde, known for its coffee and beignets.

Near the French Quarter is the Tremé neighborhood. It has the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. The Natchez is a real steamboat that offers cruises on the Mississippi River. New Orleans is also known for its unique, above-ground cemeteries. The oldest and most famous is Saint Louis Cemetery.

The National WWII Museum tells the story of World War II. Art museums include the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) in City Park. City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country. It has many old oak trees.

You can also visit nearby wetlands like Honey Island Swamp. The Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery is where the 1815 Battle of New Orleans took place.

Festivals and Entertainment

New Orleans hosts many yearly celebrations. The most famous is Mardi Gras. It starts in early January and ends on "Fat Tuesday" before the Christian season of Lent. This is a huge party with parades and costumes.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) is one of the biggest music festivals in the U.S. It features many types of music. Other big festivals include the Voodoo Experience and the Essence Music Festival.

Louisiana offers tax breaks for film and TV. This has made New Orleans a popular place for movies. It's even called "Hollywood South." Many films like Ray and 12 Years a Slave were filmed here.

New Orleans has a rich music history. It's where jazz music was born in the early 1900s. This happened because African and European music blended together. Later, the city became important for rhythm and blues and funk music. It also created its own style of hip hop called bounce music.

New Orleans is also known for its special funerals. These "jazz funerals" start with sad music on the way to the cemetery. Then, they play happy jazz music on the way back.

Delicious New Orleans Food

New Orleans is famous for its food. The local food mixes French, Spanish, Italian, African, and Native American styles. It creates a unique flavor.

Some famous New Orleans foods include:

• Beignets: These are like French doughnuts, often served with coffee mixed with chicory.
• Po' boy: A delicious sandwich.
• Muffuletta: An Italian sandwich.
• Seafood: Fresh oysters, fried oysters, and boiled crawfish.
• Creole dishes: Like étouffée, jambalaya, and gumbo.
• Red beans and rice: A favorite dish, especially on Mondays.
• Pralines: A sweet candy made with sugar, cream, butter, and pecans.

You can also find great street food like beef Yaka mein.

New Orleans' Unique Way of Speaking

New Orleans has its own special way of speaking English. It's different from other Southern accents. It sounds a bit like accents from New York City. This is because New Orleans was a big port for immigrants in the 1800s. Many Irish, Italian, and German people moved there.

One strong New Orleans accent is called the Yat dialect. It comes from the greeting "Where y'at?" This accent is becoming less common in the city. But it is still strong in nearby areas.

Some older residents still speak other languages. These include Louisiana Creole French and an old Spanish dialect.

Sports in New Orleans

New Orleans has professional sports teams. The New Orleans Saints play American football in the NFL. They won the Super Bowl XLIV in 2009. The New Orleans Pelicans play basketball in the NBA.

Club	Sport	League	Venue (capacity)	Founded	Titles	Record attendance
New Orleans Saints	American football	NFL	Caesars Superdome (73,208)	1967	1	73,373
New Orleans Pelicans	Basketball	NBA	Smoothie King Center (16,867)	2002	0	18,444
New Orleans Jesters	Soccer	NPSL	Pan American Stadium (5,000)	2003	0	5,000
NOLA Gold	Rugby Union	MLR	Goldmine on Airline (10,000)	2017	0

The Caesars Superdome is where the Saints play. It has hosted the Super Bowl seven times. The Smoothie King Center is home to the Pelicans. New Orleans also hosts the Sugar Bowl and the New Orleans Bowl each year.

Learning in New Orleans

Colleges and Universities

New Orleans has many colleges and universities. It has the most in Louisiana. It also has many historically Black colleges and universities.

Some of the universities in the city are:

• Tulane University
• Loyola University New Orleans
• University of New Orleans
• Xavier University of Louisiana
• Southern University at New Orleans
• Dillard University
• Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
• University of Holy Cross
• Notre Dame Seminary
• New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
• Delgado Community College
• William Carey College School of Nursing

Schools for Kids

The Orleans Parish School Board runs the public schools in New Orleans. Before Hurricane Katrina, the schools were not doing very well. After the hurricane, the state took over most of the schools. Many became public charter schools. These schools are run independently.

The charter schools have helped students do much better. Parents can now choose which school their children go to. This has led to big improvements in education.

Libraries and Archives

New Orleans has many libraries for students and the public. The New Orleans Public Library has 13 locations. Its main library has special collections about the city's history. Other places like the Historic New Orleans Collection also have important historical records.

Getting Around New Orleans

Public Transportation

Hurricane Katrina badly damaged the public transport system. But the city has worked to bring it back. The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) runs the buses and streetcars.

Streetcars: A Historic Ride

New Orleans has four active streetcar lines.

• The St. Charles Streetcar Line is the oldest running streetcar line in the U.S. It started in 1835. Each car on this line is a historic landmark.
• The Riverfront Streetcar Line runs along the river.
• The Canal Streetcar Line goes down Canal Street to the cemeteries.
• The Rampart–St. Claude Streetcar Line connects different parts of the city.

The city's streetcars were even featured in a famous play, A Streetcar Named Desire.

Buses and Ferries

The RTA also operates many bus routes. These connect the city to its suburbs. New Orleans has also had ferry service since 1827. Ferries connect downtown New Orleans to Algiers Point and Gretna across the Mississippi River.

Biking in the City

New Orleans is flat and has mild winters. This makes it a great city for bicycle riding. The city has added many bicycle lanes to its streets. The Lafitte Greenway is a new bike and walking trail. It connects the French Quarter to Lakeview.

Roads and Bridges

New Orleans is served by major highways like Interstate 10. The Crescent City Connection is a famous bridge over the Mississippi River. It connects downtown New Orleans to its west bank suburbs. Other important bridges include the Huey P. Long Bridge and the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. The Causeway is one of the longest bridges in the world.

Airports and Trains

The main airport for New Orleans is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. It is in the nearby suburb of Kenner. It has flights to many places around the world.

The city also has train service. Amtrak trains connect New Orleans to cities like New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Notable People from New Orleans

Many famous people come from New Orleans. These include musicians, actors, and writers.

Sister Cities

New Orleans has "sister cities" around the world. These cities have special friendships and cultural ties.

Images for kids

• 

  The Battle of New Orleans (1815)

• 

  New Orleans under Union occupation during the Civil War, 1862

• 

  Esplanade Avenue at Burgundy Street, looking towards Lake Pontchartrain (1900)

• 

  A view of the New Orleans Central Business District from the Mississippi River. USS New Orleans (LPD-18) in foreground. (2007)

• 

  Hurricane Katrina at its New Orleans landfall.

• 

  An aerial view from a United States Navy helicopter showing floodwaters around the Louisiana Superdome (stadium) and surrounding area (2005).

• 

  A true-color satellite image of New Orleans taken on NASA's Landsat 7

• 

  Vertical cross-section of New Orleans, showing maximum levee height of 23 ft (7 m)

• 

  Bourbon Street, New Orleans, in 2003, looking towards Canal Street

• 

  The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) located in City Park

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  Hurricanes of Category 3 or greater passing within 100 miles of New Orleans 1852–2005. from NOAA

• 

  Snow falls on St. Charles Avenue in December 2008.

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  Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis, King of France

• 

  Beth Israel synagogue building on Carondelet Street

• 

  A tanker on the Mississippi River in New Orleans

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  Intracoastal Waterway near New Orleans

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  The steamboat Natchez operates out of New Orleans.

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  Aerial view of NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility

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  French Quarter in 2009

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  Street artist in the French Quarter (1988)

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  New Orleans Mardi Gras in the early 1890s

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  Mounted krewe officers in the Thoth Parade during Mardi Gras

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  Louis Prima; a famous New Orleans jazz, swing music, and jump blues, musician.

• 

  Louis Armstrong, famous New Orleans jazz musician

• 

  Frank Ocean is a musician from New Orleans.

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  Steamship Bienville on-board restaurant menu (April 7, 1861)

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  A New Orleans streetcar traveling down Canal Street

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  Streetcar network

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  Ferries connecting New Orleans with Algiers (left) and Gretna (right)

• 

  A view of Gibson Hall at Tulane University

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  University of New Orleans

• 

  Xavier University of Louisiana, 2019

See also

In Spanish: Nueva Orleans para niños