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Over millennia, the Mississippi River carried layers of sediment downstream to form a vast delta, with swamps, bayous and natural levees. Much of this region became Louisiana, home to a unique American culture. There, Spanish, French and African-American food, music and language combined to create a distinctive way of life.

New Orleans, often called the Crescent City, sits on a bend in the Mississippi, and its fortunes and tragedies have forever been tied to the river. A vital hub of trade with one of the busiest ports in the country, the city surrounded by water has also suffered terrible floods.

Though New Orleans was devastated in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina, its historic French Quarter came through mostly unscathed, and other parts of the city are being reconstructed, some with the help of volunteers from around the country. Through everything, Louisiana remains a extraordinary place.

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AT THE SMITHSONIAN
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Weekend Events Feb 10-12: Mourning, The Power of Chocolate Festival, and the Emerson String Quartet

This weekend, go to the Iranian Film Festival, taste and learn why chocolate was called the "food of the gods" by the Aztecs and Mayans, and enjoy a p...
By Aviva Shen

How Much the Hope Diamond is Worth and Other Questions From Our Readers

From American art, history and culture, air and space technology, contemporary art, Asian art and any of the sciences from astronomy to zoology, we'll...
By Aviva Shen

Events Feb 7-9: Water Matters, Multiplicity, and Touki Bouki

This week, learn why water matters, take a guided tour of the American Art Museum's exhibition, Multiplicity, and enjoy a free film at the African Art...
By Aviva Shen

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