The
Coastal South includes the land along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from
southeastern Virginia to the Mexican Border. The state of Louisiana is featured
in the coastal south which is also home to the port city of New Orleans. Though
it may be vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding, the Coastal South remains as
one of the fastest growing areas in the United States.
Louisiana
The
climate of New Orleans is consistent with the climate of the Coastal South. It
is humid and subtropical which features long, hot, rainy summers and mild, wet
winters. On average New Orleans receives about 62 inches of precipitation
annually. Unlike other parts of the United States, summer in New Orleans is
generally the wettest time of the year whereas October is the driest month. Due
to its low elevation and water surroundings, the city is especially vulnerable
to hurricanes and flooding. The most well-known of these hurricanes would have
to be Hurricane Katrina which would lead to the first ever evacuation of the
city. Hundreds and thousands of homes were lost and the city of New Orleans
faced a major decrease in population.
Yearly Climate Levels
According
to the 2010 Census, the population of New Orleans consisted of 60% African
American, 33% white, 5% Hispanic or Latino, and 3% Asian American. The dominance
of the African American population was due to the migration of slaves into the
Coastal South. Therefore no other region has as much African American influence
on music, food, speech patterns, and architecture as the Coastal South.
Population Over the Years
The
Coastal South is also home to many tourist destinations. These destinations
feature attractions such as Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida to the NASA
Space Center in Houston, Texas. New Orleans in its own right has become a major
tourist destination primarily because of the celebration of Mardi Gras. Mardi
Gras or French for “Fat Tuesday,” represents the diverse nature of the Coastal
South. The holiday is the climax of the carnival season celebrated by many
Catholics prior to the beginning of Lent.
National Geographic Coverage of Mardi Gras
New
Orleans is also known for its strategic location being a port city and residing
near the mouth of the Mississippi River. The easy access to the Mississippi
River allowed the city to control major trade within the central United States.
This ease of access is one of the major reasons that prompted the United States
to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase with France. Though many trade routes have
been replaced by airlines, New Orleans remains as one the major port cities in
the United States.
Louisiana Purchase
Cited Sources:
Textbook
