New Orleans is Louisiana's largest city with a population of around 500,000 in the city and 1 1/2 million in the metro area. Although established y the French in 1718, it was ceded to Spain in 1762, but not before many boats had brought French prisioners and derelicts to the area and left them. The aristocratic Spanairds continued the gracious lifestyle introduced by the French.
The giant sugar industry developed on nearby plantations, and a granulation process was perfected that caused the area's sugar to be sprinkled around the world. In late 1803 ownership was again passed to France and then to the United States through the famious Louisiana Purchase. Statehood was granted in 1812 and by 1840 New orleans was the nation's 4th largest city.
With only two floats and a theme, the now famious Mardi Gras was started in 1857. The mixed poplulation of French, Spanish and Creole, gives this area a unique personality. New orleans is a major center of higher education and medicine. It is also a major river and sea port.
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