The city of New Orleans, Louisiana is the largest city within the state and is a major seaport. The New Orleans metropolitan area supports over 1,235,650 people. The New Orleans-Metairie-Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population of 1,360,436.
The city of New Orleans gets its name after duc d'Orlean, a regent of France, Philippe II. New Orleans was established in the year 1718, with a well-known French Creole heritage. The city is recognized for its music, its distinctive architecture and its cuisine. The city is normally called the birthplace of jazz. The Mardi Gras festival held every year attracts lots of people.
New Orleans is a unique American city that has lots of diverse cultural and multilingual influences. The culture of the Creole blends the influences of the Spanish, African and French cultures. The Cajun culture derives from the descendants of immigrants from France who came here through the country Canada. Few American cities can claim a more fascinating history. The region was ruled by Spain and by France at different points in its history. During 1803, as part of the Louisiana Purchase, it was bought by the US from France.
The city has a great local cuisine, including a lot of local dishes like for instance crawfish etouffeis and gumbo. These classics could be enjoyed in numerous restaurants. The food of New Orleans is so unique because of its evolution over centuries from French Cuisines, local Creole and Haute Creole. The unique Louisiana flavours are a creative blend of Spanish, French, Italian, African, Cajun, Native American, Cuban and Chinese traditions.
A center of maritime industry, New Orleans has one of the busiest seaports in the world. On shore and offshore oil refining and petrochemical production form a major sector of the economy. Big energy companies, like for instance Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron, have regional head offices located in New Orleans. The head offices of other oil services businesses and energy producing corporations are situated here. Design and engineering corporations are drawn to New Orleans by the energy sector. There are numerous white collar employees employed within the petroleum and natural gas production sector.
Federal Government agencies form a different significant sector within the New Orleans region. Among them are the NASA's Michoud Assembly, National Finance Center and the U.S. Navy's Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Command.
The city of New Orleans is in fact a globally competitive manufacturing center with many leading private companies within the industry of shipbuilding, aerospace and manufacturing. At Martin Marietta, aerospace parts are produced for the NASA assembly plant. Other sectors of the economy consist of healthcare, education, research and technology and tourism.