New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana and the center of the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area. Straddling the Mississippi River, New Orleans is a major U.S. port city. The “most unique” city in America, New Orleans is well known for its multicultural heritage, cuisine, architecture, music, and Mardi Gras.
As of the 2000 census, 484,674 people live in New Orleans. New Orleans’ racial makeup is 67.25% African American, 28.05% White, 0.20% Native American, 2.26% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.92% from other races, 1.28% from two or more races, and 3.06% Hispanic or Latino. After Hurricane Katrina, the population was an estimated 273,000.
Home to one of the largest and busiest ports in the world, New Orleans accounts for a major portion of the nation’s petroleum refinery and production. New Orleans provides both Crude Oil and Liquified Petroleum Gas. New Orleans is home to Tulane University along with half a dozen other institutions of higher learning. A $5.5 billion industry, tourism accounts for 40 percent of New Orleans’ tax revenues. New Orleans is home to many major tourist attractions such as the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. St. Charles Avenue is home to both Tulane and Loyola Universities and Pontchartrain Hotel. In 2004, over 10 million visitors came to New Orleans, making New Orleans one of the top ten most visited cities in the United States.