Louisiana's marshy Mississippi Valley is one of the most attractive areas of the USA. New Orleans, its largest city, is one of the country's major tourist destinations. It is famed for Dixieland jazz, architecture, superb cuisine and its unique French Quarter. The city also boasts a wide choice of museums and galleries.

Other places to see in the state include Lafayette, a city of magnificent gardens and the start of the 40km (25 mile) Azalea Trail; the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest and most remote swamp in the USA; the huge salt domes of Avery; and Alexandria, surrounded by forests and parks. The 138m- (452ft-) high marble and limestone Capitol Building is situated in Baton Rouge.

Louisiana was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but most of the tourism attractions and infrastructure have been repaired and are open to visitors. Many areas of New Orleans are still totally devastated, but on the whole the city is recovering and tourism is booming once again.