French Louisiana

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This map shows the Louisiana Purchase area, which corresponds approximately with colonial French Louisiana.

The term French Louisiana refers to two distinct regions: first, to colonial French Louisiana, comprised of the massive, middle section of North America claimed by France; and, second, to modern French Louisiana, which stretches across the southern extreme of the present-day state of Louisiana.

• Colonial French Louisiana

Beginning in 1682 this region, known in French as La Louisiane, functioned as an administrative district of New France. It extended from the Gulf of Mexico to the current Canadian border. France ceded the region to Spain in 1763, regained it in 1800, and sold it to the United States in 1803 through the Louisiana Purchase.

• Modern French Louisiana

Greater New Orleans and the twenty-two parish cultural region known as Acadiana compose present-day French Louisiana. Although Cajun and Creole culture dominate south Louisiana's cultural landscape, other important ethnic groups in the region include African-Americans, Native Americans, Isleños, German Coast settlers and various immigrant groups, including Vietnamese, Laotians and a growing number of Hispanics. In addition, some French Louisiana influences can be found in cities adjacent to the region, such as Alexandria and Baton Rouge.

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