LOUISIANA

a southern US state on the Gulf of Mexico , also known as the Pelican State. It consists mainly of flat land and is separated from the state of Mississippi by the Mississippi River . The largest city is New Orleans and the capital city is Baton Rouge. It was part of the Louisiana Purchase , became a state in 1837, and was one of the Confederate States . Louisiana is known for its Cajun culture. The state produces oil, gas, salt, rice and sugar.