Louisiana became the 18th state on April 30, 1812.

Its civic life reflects French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, Native, and American influences, but also the practical demands of the Mississippi River, ports, energy, wetlands, hurricanes, parish government, and coastal loss. Public decisions about flood protection, schools, criminal justice, health care, insurance, infrastructure, and environmental risk often have immediate consequences for communities. Louisiana’s representatives and state government resources are laid out below, each linked to its official source.