|
|
 |
|
|
Being located on a crescent-shaped bend of the Mississippi River, New Orleans is commonly referred to as “The Crescent City,” and was founded in 1718 by Jean Baptiste LeMoyne, Sieur de Bienville, and his brother, Pierre. This Southern Louisiana city is one of the busiest seaports in the world, despite the fact that it's situated about 110 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Not surprisingly, New Orleans is bordered on all sides by waterways, bayous, the Mississippi River, and finally Lake Pontchartrain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lake Pontchartrain is home to what we now suspect is the second longest over-water bridge in the world, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway,
originally built in 1956. The twin spans of the Causeway (the second span, 80 feet away handles traffic in the opposite direction and was opened in 1969) is an amazing 23.8 miles across,
and is held in place by 9,000 concrete pilings. During the day, as you approach the middle of the bridge, you can see no land in either direction. At night, you can faintly see the
city lights. An eerie feeling until you get used to it. Click the pic to visit their website.
|
|
|
|
|
New Orleans has changed national flags a number of times, being owned by the French, the Spanish, and finally coming under the control of the
Americans, being purchased from France in 1803.. The most famous part of the city is the French Quarter, really a misnomer since much of the architecture is of Spanish influence and was built during the
time when Spain was in control of the city. Locally, street signs refer to the French Quarter as Vieux Carre.
|
|
|
Dear Guests: We have worked very hard on this site in hopes that it will educate, inform, and entertain. All donations are appreciated, once we get our
tip jar back up, but if you can’t do that, please donate a little of your time to signing the guestbook below and let us know what you think. As always, we appreciate your comments. Thanks, Gil Davis
-- Jay Barrymore
|
|
