NEW IBERIA

city, seat (1868) of Iberia parish, southern Louisiana, U.S., on Bayou Teche (connected via canal with the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway), 23 miles (37 km) southeast of Lafayette. Founded in the late 18th century by French, Spanish, and Acadian settlers, it was laid out in 1835. It was first called Iberia, the ancient name for Spain, but the name was changed when the parish was created. The city was occupied (1863), along with nearby salt mines, by Union forces during the American Civil War's Red River Campaign. It developed as a processing and shipping centre for salt, sugarcane, rice, peppers, vegetables, and petroleum and acquired some light manufacturing. New Iberia has retained strong French characteristics and is the site of Shadows-on-the-Teche (1834), a restored antebellum mansion that served as headquarters for the Union army during its occupation of the city. The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival is held annually in September. Nearby are the Longfellow-Evangeline State Commemorative Area, a federal livestock experimental station, and Avery and Jefferson islands, noted for their scenic gardens. Inc. 1839. Pop. (1990) 31,828; (1998 est.) 32,664.