Five Biggest Cities in Louisiana: How Well Do You Know The Pelican State?

Along the southern end of the Mississippi River sits the Pelican State, home of the tallest state capitol building in the United States and the historic city port of New Orleans.

VOTE NOW: Is Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy Doing a Good Job?

Here are the five biggest cities in Louisiana:

1. New Orleans is the home of Mardi Gras and according to the United States Census Bureau, 378,715 people were residents in the city in 2013. New Orleans, also called NOLA, is the largest city in the Pelican State.

In 2005, neighborhoods were flooded and destroyed by Hurricane Katrina but, by 2009, New Orleans had recovered and rebuilt.

2. Baton Rouge, the state capital, has had limited population growth through the years, but an estimated 229,426 people made the city home in 2013. NOLA.com reported in 2014 that people are moving from the Baton Rouge area to surrounding towns in search of higher performing school districts.

VOTE NOW: Should the Government Be Doing More to Promote Tourism in America?

3. According the U.S. Census in 2013, it was estimated that Shreveport was home to 200,327 residents, making it the third-largest city in Louisiana.

Shreveport was founded in 1836 by the Shreve Town Company and became incorporated as a city in 1871. The city is home to the Barksdale Army Air Field, also a national landmark.

4. Lafayette is considered at the heart of Cajun country in Louisiana and is home to and estimated 120,000 people.

The area is dominated by the oil industry and has a wealthier population. The city is also home to a university and regional airport, which increases the student population.

5. In 2013, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the city of Lake Charles to be 74,024 people, a 2.8 percent decline from 2010.

Lake Charles boasts it is home to the only white sand inland beach on the Gulf Coast. The city is comprised of a number of historic structures and encourages businesses to preserve history when renovating. In order to promote historic preservation, the city government has issued guidelines for those developing in historic districts.

URGENT: Do You Approve of the Job Bill Cassidy Is Doing as Louisiana Governor?

Related Stories:

• Want to Live in One of US' Best Cities for Conservatives? Go South
• Louisiana Democrats Back GOP's Steve Scalise in Racism Flap