LALouisiana Geography

Geography overview

Louisiana occupies the 31st largest area among US states. Located in the South region, specifically the deep south subregion, its physical geography reflects its position on the North American continent. It has coastline on the gulf.

Geographers typically think about a state's geography in five dimensions: location (where it is relative to other places), place (the physical and human characteristics), region (how it groups with others), movement (the flow of people, goods, and ideas), and human-environment interaction (how people have shaped and been shaped by the environment). This page touches on all five.

Topography and landforms

• Crossed by the Mississippi River
• Subject to hurricanes

Topography refers to the physical features of the land — mountains, valleys, plains, plateaus, basins. Louisiana's topography was shaped over millions of years by tectonic activity, glaciation, erosion, river systems, and (in some regions) volcanic activity. Understanding the topography helps explain everything from where cities developed historically (typically near reliable water sources and navigable rivers) to modern climate patterns (mountains create rain shadows, for instance).

Rivers and waterways

The mighty Mississippi River borders or flows through Louisiana. At 2,340 miles, the Mississippi is the second-longest river in the United States (after the Missouri) and historically the principal trade route of the early Republic. The river drains 31 US states and 2 Canadian provinces. The state has Gulf of Mexico coastline, often warm, low-lying, and rich in marine biodiversity.

Mountains, elevation, and relief

Louisiana has very low elevation — much of the state lies at or near sea level. This affects everything from climate (low elevations are typically warmer and more humid than high elevations) to flood risk to where development can occur.

Climate and time zone

Louisiana observes Central Time. The state is part of the Sun Belt — mild winters and hot, sunny summers. The coast is exposed to Atlantic and/or Gulf hurricanes (peak season June-November).

National parks and protected areas

The National Park Service manages many sites in Louisiana — national parks, national monuments, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and historic sites. Tourism, particularly to natural areas, is a major part of the state economy.

Wildlife and biodiversity

Louisiana's wildlife reflects its geography. Forests, plains, rivers, and (where applicable) coasts support a wide range of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Protected populations of native species are maintained through state and federal wildlife management agencies. State parks and refuges protect critical habitats; hunting and fishing license fees fund much of the wildlife conservation work.

Climate zones within the state

Even within Louisiana's moderate area, microclimates vary by elevation and terrain. Coastal regions (where applicable) typically have milder, more humid climates than interior areas. Mountain regions are colder and snowier. Desert regions are hot and dry.

Geology — what made Louisiana the way it is

Louisiana's present-day geography is the result of geological processes operating over hundreds of millions of years: plate tectonics, volcanic activity, glaciation, erosion, sedimentation. Most of the state's bedrock is sedimentary (limestone, sandstone, shale) or metamorphic (where heat and pressure transformed older rocks), with igneous rocks (granite, basalt) more common in mountainous areas. The last Ice Age (which ended approximately 11,000 years ago) reshaped much of the northern US and shaped lake basins, river valleys, and soil distribution.

Louisiana notable firsts

• Louisiana has a unique place among the 50 states — discoverable across its geography, history, and culture

Louisiana vs similar states

How does Louisiana compare with 3 other states in the same region and size category?

State	Capital	Pop	Area rank	Admitted
Louisiana	Baton Rouge	1 to 5 million	#31	1812
Alabama	Montgomery	1 to 5 million	#30	1819
Arkansas	Little Rock	1 to 5 million	#29	1836
Florida	Tallahassee	over 10 million	#22	1845

Bordering states (3)

Louisiana shares borders with 3 other US states, listed alphabetically below. Each link goes to the dedicated state page.

Similar states to Louisiana

If this page interested you, you may also want to explore states with similar geography, history, or culture. These states share Louisiana's region (South) and similar size category:

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