New Orleans

New Orleans is an old city situated near the mouth of the Mississippi River of the state of Louisiana. People visit New Orleans to enjoy its charming old buildings, delicious food, and celebrations. It is a truly amazing city. The Spanish, French, Italian and African settlers have all left their mark in the city. Above all the citizens love to party.

February is the month to visit New Orleans to see Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras means „fat Tuesday“ in French. In Britain it is called Schrove Tuesday. It is the last day to party before Ash Wednesday, the day when the forty days of Lent begin. There are many carnivals in New Orleans but Mardi Gras is special. For most people it is a holiday. It is also a day for family picnics, and children like to buy special toys from the passing parades. It is said that the city holds more parades and festivals than there are days in the year.

Many black slaves bought their freedom in New Orleans as early as 1770. These African Americans found success through music, especially jazz. Trumpeter Louis Armstrong is perhaps the most famous jazz musician to come from New Orleans.

Perhaps the most famous area of New Orleans for tourists is the French Quarter, by 1937 almost 80 % was Italian owned. The Italians first settled after the American Civil War.

New Orleans ´ s best-known landmark is the Saint Louis Cathedral. It was built in 1794 and is America ´s oldest cathedral. It was a gift to the city from a Spanish nobleman Don Andres Almonestery Roxas. He built it on condition that mass would be said every Sunday forever after his death „for the rest of his soul“.


New Orleans is really a beautiful historical place. I would like to see it...