North Louisiana First Inhabitants – English & African Americans Fishing, hunting, and hiking Music: Gospel, Old time country, & Bluegrass Food: Barbeque, cornbread, & grits
Central Louisiana Settled by the French (oldest city – Natchitoches Hunting, fishing, spotting wildlife (Toledo Bend) Music: Blues, rock-n-roll, country Food: Southern cooking (chicken-fried steak), pecan pies
Southwest Louisiana Settled by the French (forced out Nova Scotia) Home of the Cajun’s, Acadians, & Creoles Music: Cajun and Zydeco Food: Gumbo, Boudin, Jambalaya, & crawfish
South central Louisiana Diverse group – African Americans, Italians, Asians, & Cajuns Work performed by slaves Cotton, tobacco, sugar, & indigo Music: Blues and hymns Food:
Southeast Louisiana French and Spanish Oldest Section: French Quarter Festivals (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest) Music: Birthplace of Jazz Food: Gumbo, red beans & rice, po-boys, beignets