French Louisiana

The term French Louisiana (French: Louisiane française, Louisiana Creole: Lwizyàn françé) refers to two distinct regions:

First, to historic French Louisiana, comprising the massive, middle section of North America claimed by France during the 17th and 18th centuries; and,
Second, to modern French Louisiana, which stretches across the southern extreme of the present-day State of Louisiana.
Often Called Acadia, Cajun Country, or Creole Country

Each term has been in use for many years.

French Louisiana, district of New France

French Louisiana was one of the districts of New France.^[1] Beginning in 1682 this region, known in French as la Louisiane française,^[2] functioned as an administrative district of New France. It extended from the Gulf of Mexico to Vincennes, now in Indiana. France ceded the region to Spain and Britain in 1763 after the French and Indian War, regained it by treaty in 1800, and sold it to the United States in 1803 through the Louisiana Purchase.

The flag of New Orleans

The flag of Acadiana

Greater New Orleans and the twenty-two parish cultural region known as Acadiana compose present-day 'French Louisiana'.^{[citation needed]} Although the Louisiana French (Cajuns & Creoles) dominate south Louisiana's cultural landscape, the largest French-speaking group in the state is thought to be the United Houma Nation Native American tribe.^[3]^[4] Other important ethnic groups in the region include African-Americans, Isleños, German Coast settlers, Filipinos and various immigrant groups, including Vietnamese, Laotians, and a growing number of Hispanics.^[5]^[6] In addition, French Louisiana influences can be found in cities adjacent to the region, such as Alexandria and Baton Rouge.^{[citation needed]}

^ J. Mowatt (1844). The Omnibus of Modern Romance: (Six Inside). p. 28.
^ The contemporary French term for the U.S. state of Louisiana is "Louisiane", with the larger colonial region called "la Louisiane française". However, in colonial writings the colony would be called "La Louisiane" (before the state was created from the lower portion of the region), just as English used "Louisiana" for both the region/state names, rather than "French Louisiana Purchase" (no such term).
^ Cockerham, Sean (2012-07-06). "Louisiana French: L'heritage at risk". The Seattle Times. Seattle, Washington. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
^ LeFrere, Sable. "Residents fight to keep French culture alive". Houma Today. Houma, Louisiana. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
^ Reinecke, George F. (1985). "The National and Cultural Groups of New Orleans". Folklife in Louisiana. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
^ Owens, Maida; Marcus Green, Laura (2012). "The Many Faces of the Bayou State: New Populations in Louisiana". Folklife in Louisiana. Retrieved 2024-04-04.

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