Welcome To KEY TO THE CITY's Page For
New Orleans
Orleans Parish, Louisiana
ZipCodes
70112, 70113, 70114, 70115, 70116, 70117, 70118, 70119, 70122, 70124, 70125, 70126, 70127, 70128, 70129, 70130, 70131
Motto
"The Queen of the Mississippi"
"The Crescent City"
Page Contents for New Orleans, Louisiana
History & History-related items
Chamber of Commerce.
Organizations, Churches, and Sports.
Statistics & Facts
The Louisiana state capital is Baton Rouge.
The population of New Orleans is approximately 274,000 (2007), 343829 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 215,091 (2000), 142158 (2010).
The amount of land area in New Orleans is 467.6 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in New Orleans is 180.56 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 439.225 sq kilometers.
The distance from New Orleans to Washington DC is 969 miles.
The distance to the Louisiana state capital is 76 miles. (as the crow flies)
New Orleans is positioned 30.06 degrees north of the equator and 89.93 degrees west of the prime meridian.
New Orleans elevation is -6.5 to 20 feet above sea level.
New Orleans median income is $ 30,711 (2005).
The New Orleans median home price is $ 133,700 (2005).
New Orleans average annual rainfall is 62 inches per year
New Orleans average temperature is 59.8 (October-March), 77.5 (April-Sept) degrees F.
The average low temperature is 59 degrees F.
The average high temperature is 78 degrees F.
Location
in Southeast Louisiana on the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. Nearby communities include Gretna, Arabi, Terrytown, Harvey, Timberlane, Jefferson, Marrero and Chalmette.Return to Index
Geography
lowland with 51% of the city at or above sea level, with the more densely populated areas generally on higher ground. The average elevation of the city is currently between one and two feet below sea level, with some portions of the city as high as 16 feet and others as low as 10 feet below sea level.
Return to Index
Climate
semi-tropical. Because of the mild winters and, nice, long spring and summer seasons, the area is conducive to many outdoor activities throughout the year.
Return to Index
Weather
moderate. Freezing temperatures are rare and snowfall is even rarer though it has occurred. The average humidity for the year is around 76 percent. Generally, the summer months are the wettest and the Fall, particularly October, months are the driest. Here is a page for New Orleans weather
Return to Index
History & History Related Items
A history page for New Orleans
Back in 1682, the present-day New Orleans area was visited by French explorer, Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle. Villages of the Quinipissa and Tangipahoa Indians were in this area at the time. Later, in 1699, another French explorer, Jean Baptiste Le Moyne, sieur de Bienville, came into the area. After being named Governor of the Louisiana Territory, Jean Baptiste established a settlement here. The year was 1718. He named the settlement, Nouvelle Orleans. The name was in honor of duc d'Orleans, regent of France. By 1722, Nouvelle Orleans was made the capital of this French colony. In 1767, Louisiana was divided between England and Spain. At this time, New Orleans became the capital of Spanish Louisiana. Not very long after, in 1768-69, the Spanish rule was challenged, but this rebellion was quickly dispatched. In 1800, a secret transaction took place where New Orleans was ceded to France. Three years later, in 1803, the formal declaration took place. Soon after, the Louisiana Purchase was completed making Louisiana and New Orleans a part of the United States. Louisiana became a state in 1812 with New Orleans as its first capital. It stayed the capital until 1830. New Orleans again was named the capital from 1831 to 1849. The infamous "Battle of New Orleans" with General Andrew Jackson took place during the War of 1812. This battle took place near the end of the war in 1815 as the city was defended against the British troops. During the first half of the Nineteenth Century, steamboat traffic along the Mississippi made New Orleans one of the busiest ports in the USA. This surge in traffic and the growth of the bustling city made New Orleans the third largest city in the United States by 1852.
During the Civil War, New Orleans played a big part on both the Confederacy and the Union sides. It began as a port and military center for the Confederacy. Of course, Union troops desired the possession of the city for its many benefits. Captured in 1862 by a Union fleet, it remained a Union stronghold for the remainder of the war. After the Civil War, the shipping industry declined. For the rest of the century, shipping was not a prominent industry in New Orleans. Once the new century began, this industry began to pick up again. Once World War II was over, New Orleans began to growth and florish. In 1984, New Orleans was the site of a world's fair. Mardi Gras each year continues to be a major tourist event in the area.
Mardi Gras Indians
History of the tradition of these "ghetto gangs" and their "black Mardi Gras" -- its parade, history, and intricately beaded costumes.
Krewe of Orpheus
New Orleans's megaparade featuring musical themes and parading on Lundi
Gras and founded by Harry Connick, Jr with Literary Muse, Anne Rice.
Krewe of Zulu
New Orleans' black Mardi Gras Krewe famous for its decorated coconut throws and colorful history.
Cities of the Dead
Read about the above-ground tombs in the cemeteries of New Orleans, and see some beautiful pictures and an excerpt from "New Orleans Cemeteries - Life in the Cities of the Dead"
St. Patrick's Day in New Orleans
St. Patrick's Day in New Orleans
History and pictures of the parade
History of Jazz in New Orleans.
Cajuns and Creoles
Return to Index
The founding of New Orleans
1718The incorporation of New Orleans
1805Attractions
"NOTED NOTABLES"Pete Fountain - Interview with the New Orleans jazz Legend. See NOTED NOTABLES New Orleans page for more famous folks of the area.
Sweet Emma Barrett - Great Jazz Pianist - Born 25 March 1897 in New Orleans, Louisiana and died 28 January 1983. She was an American self-taught jazz pianist and singer who worked with the original Tuxedo Orchestra between 1923 and 1936. She was most powerful in the early 1960s and became an icon with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
Louis Armstrong - World Famous Jazzman - Born 4 August 1901 and died 6 July 1971. He was an American jazz trumpet player, composer and singer who was one of the most influential figures in jazz music of his time. His career spanned from the 1920s to the 1960s through many different eras of Jazzz. His nick names were Satchmo or Pops.
Anne Armstrong - Politician - Born December 27, 1927 in New Orleans, LA and died July 30, 2008 in Huston Tx. Served under five US Presidents(Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan and George H. W. Bush) in various positions including Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Danny Barker - legendary jazzman - Born 13 January 1909 and died 13 March 1994. He was a jazz banjo player, singer, guitar and ukulele player, songwriter and author.
See this page for New Orleans attractions
See these pages - Experience New Orleans and N'awlins for much information about New Orleans.
The Big Easy and other New Orleans nicknames - The Paris of the Americas, America's International City, the Gateway to the Americas, The City that Care Forgot, and The Crescent City.
City Songs about New Orleans - interesting and entertaining information about New Orleans from a musical point of view by Elaine Ernst Schneider
Return to Index
New Orleans City Government
The Official City of New Orleans Website1300 Perdido St
New Orleans, LA 70112
City Hall: 504-658-4000
New Orleans has a mayor-council government. The city council consists of five council members who are elected by district and two at-large council members
New Orleans is the seat of Orleans Parish. The city boundaries and the parish boundaries are the same.
Orleans Parish Communication District
OPCD is the administrative office of 9-1-1 for the city of New Orleans.
301 S Broad St.
New Orleans, LA 70119-6415
Phone: 504-826-1200
New Orleans Historical Events
2005, September 25Just when things were beginning to dry out and people began to return home, New Orleans was hit again. This time, it was a glancing blow, but a blow nonetheless. Hurricane Rita, a huge hurricane came roaring across the Gulf of Mexico, first as a category one and then up to a category 5 storm before finally hitting land rated a category 4. Initially it was figured to land between Galveston and Corpus Christi on the Texas coast, but each day it veered a little more northeast until it finally hit right at the Texas-Louisiana border. Lake Charles took a tremendous hit. New Orleans, though not in the direct path, took a large blow as many inches of rain fell in a short period. This caused some of the barely repaired levees to burst again and re-flood portions of the city. The hard hit ninth ward was inundated again making a bad situation even worse. Officials hope to dry things out again soon so people can begin to return to their homes, or what is left of them.
2005, August 30
Downgraded to a category 4 from a category 5 hurricane just before landfall, Hurricane Katrina devastated a wide area of the gulf coast yesterday. It made landfall only a few miles east of New Orleans bringing heavy amounts of rain and major wind to the area. Since New Orleans is located below sea level and in a bowl shaped depression between the Mississippi River, the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Pontchartrain, fears of severe flooding are materializing. The levees built to keep out the rising waters were designed to withstand a category 3 hurricane. The failure of several of the levees brought devastating flooding to the area, not to mention loss of both buildings and lives. Now, one day later, levees that failed have created flooded areas in 80% of the city. Some areas are under over 20 feet of water while other areas are barely affected. Many residents had left the city before the hurricane hit, saving thousands of lives. Unfortunately, some were not able to evacuate and suffered greatly. Response was limited due to inadequate preparation and the gravity of the storm and the flooding. Eventually, help did arrive and order was established. It is said it will take months to drain the city and then the process of rebuilding will have to occur. Not only did the severe hurricane devastate the entire area, it also brought about the need to improve the disaster response in the country both at the local, state and federal levels. It also helped people to see that they must prepare themselves individually for disaster before it strikes. By August 31, over 90% of the city was flooded. Because the pumping stations themselves were also under water, no pumping could occur making the problem even worse.
1815 January 7
On the eve of the Battle of New Orleans, citizens spent the night in the old Ursuline convent on Chartres Street praying to Our Lady of Prompt Succor for victory.
The people prayed to her for a miracle and promised to dedicate the city to her if she would lead them to a victory. A near impossible task for the small American army against a large, trained English group, the people knew they did indeed need a miracle to win. They did win the battle the next day, only losing eight men. In gratitude to the Lady of Prompt Succor and her babe in arms, the people made crowns for both of them, covered with their own jewels and gems.
Each year on the battle's anniversay, the shrine is crowned during a high mass to keep the promise made for the miracle. The statue is at the National Shrine in Ursuline Chapel on State Street.
New Orleans Chamber
New Orleans Chamber of Commerce
1515 Poydras, Suite 1010
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: 504-522-7226
African Chamber Of Commerce
3024 Gentilly Blvd
New Orleans LA 70122
Phone: 504-945-6400
French-American Chamber Of Commerce
2 Canal St
New Orleans LA 70130
Phone: 504-561-0070
Fax: 504-592-9999
Southeastern Louisiana Black Chamber (SLBCC)
1600 Canal Street, Suite 606
New Orleans LA 70112
Phone: 504-539-9450
Fax: 504-539-9452
Return to the New Orleans, Louisiana Community page on Key to the City
New Orleans Organizations
New Orleans Chamber of Commerce1515 Poydras, Suite 1010
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: 504-522-7226
African Chamber Of Commerce
3024 Gentilly Blvd
New Orleans LA 70122
Phone: 504-945-6400
French-American Chamber Of Commerce
2 Canal St
New Orleans LA 70130
Phone: 504-561-0070
Fax: 504-592-9999
Southeastern Louisiana Black Chamber (SLBCC)
1600 Canal Street, Suite 606
New Orleans LA 70112
Phone: 504-539-9450
Fax: 504-539-9452
Return to the New Orleans, Louisiana Community page on Key to the City
New Orleans Libraries
New Orleans Public Library219 Loyola Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: 504-596-2560
New Orleans Schools
New Orleans Public Schools
New Orleans Schools
3510 General Degaulle Dr.
New Orleans, LA 70114
Phone: 504-304-3520
Jesuit High School
4133 Banks St.
New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: 504-486-6631
Catholic School Superintendent
7887 Walmsley Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70125-3431
Phone: 504-861-6235
HIGHER EDUCATION
Tulane University of Louisiana
6823 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70118
Phone: 504 865-5000
Delgado Community College
2600 General Meyer Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70114-3047
Phone: 504-671-5000
Dillard University
2601 Gentilly Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70122
Phone: 504 283-8822
Loyola University
6363 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70118
Phone: 504 865-2011
Southern University at New Orleans
6801 Press Dr.
New Orleans, LA 70126
Phone: 504 286-5314
Xavier University
The number of housing units was:
Median household income:
Median house value:
New Orleans is in the Central Time Zone and does participate in Daylight savings time for a portion of the year.
7325 Palmetto St.
New Orleans, LA 70125
Phone: 504 486-7411
New Orleans Miscellany
The population of New Orleans was:
1810 - 17,242
1820 - 27,176
1830 - 46,082
1840 - 102,193
1870 - 191,418
1880 - 226,090
1890 - 262,039
1900 - 307,104
1910 - 369,075
1920 - 437,219
1930 - 488,762
1940 - 564,537
1950 - 630,445
1960 - 717,525
1970 - 679,471
1980 - 617,515
1990 - 546,938
2000 - 484,674
2006 - 223,388
2007 - 274,000
1990 - 225,573
2000 - 215,091
Median age:
2000 - 33.1 years
2000 - $ 27,133
2005 - $ 30,711
2000 - $ 87,300
2005 - $ 133,700
Contribute information for this community or any other community on the Key To TheCity website
Be sure to include the name of the community and its state when contacting Key to the City as you are NOT directly contacting this community.
Thanks for visiting Key to the City. Come back again! Soon!
- The information on Key to the City is from multiple sources including government, commerce, libraries, individuals and organizations. There is no guarantee of the accuracy or timeliness of the information presented on these pages, therefore, please use at your own risk.
