The Mighty Mississippi- Ben Navo

Can anything represent Louisiana other than the mighty Mississippi River? I chose this picture because it represents Louisiana in its history and present. The river played a crucial role in forming the southeastern region of Louisiana. It is estimated over four hundred thousand tons of sediment flows down the river each day, and when this sediment reaches the delta new land is formed. The Mississippi River was crucial in forming the land of Louisiana south of Baton Rouge, and it is still crucial to the coast line because it builds wetlands and barrier islands that protect the inner coast from hurricane flood waters.

Nowadays, the Mississippi River cannot distribute sediment throughout Louisiana like it used to because it held in place by manmade levees. However, in the old days the river ran wild and it made the land rich with nutrients. Farming was a very successful industry in Louisiana because of the fertilized soil given to us by the river. Along with our longer than normal high temperatures throughout the year, this created a very prominent farming industry in Louisiana and it still flourishes to this day.

The cultural jewel of the South has for long been known as the city of New Orleans. New Orleans was strategically located along a curve in the Mississippi River, thus giving the city the nickname the “Crescent City.” The spot chosen for the city was an excellent location because it developed the port into one the world’s largest ports, which led to many different types of immigrants to come into Louisiana. Louisiana has three large but different groups because of this. Northern Louisiana is settled by the Northern European Protestant. Southern Louisiana is settled by the Southern Europeans, as well as, the French and Spanish creoles and African Americans. Louisiana’s culture is so diverse and it gives the state a unique flavor.

The Mississippi River also allows Louisiana to have a large wildlife and seafood industry. When the river was running wild, it created a region in the mid section of Louisiana called the Atchafalaya Basin. It is estimated that over 300 species of birds travels to this region each year. The Basin is also an excellent example of the wetlands and marches of southern Louisiana. This swampy area gives rise to the state’s well known seafood industry. From these waters shrimp, crawfish, crabs, oysters, alligators, and so much more are harvested and sold throughout the United States. It is an important industry to Louisiana and a way of life for many of its residents.

Without the Mississippi River, Louisiana would not exist as it does today. The state was built off of the river and today is just the same. The most important characteristic of the river is that it symbolizes the people of Louisiana. No matter what happens around the Mississippi River, it continues to flow everyday and do its job. The people of Louisiana are very similar in the fact that no matter what happens with things such as Hurricane Katrina, the people of Louisiana will always continue on and do their jobs. The river is a way of life for the people of Louisiana.

Ben Navo

3-10-2009