Nicknamed the "Big Easy", the origins of Jazz can be traced to New Orleans, Louisiana, a city steeped in history and lore. New Orleans has had a rough couple of years following the hurricane, but it is on its way back.

Founded in 1718 by the French, New Orleans has been the center of a cultural melting pot during its storied history. A major port city and the largest city in Louisiana, it's known for its multicultural heritage, music and cuisine. New Orleans faced a major catastrophe in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina. On the banks of the Mississippi, about 80% of the 350 square-mile city was under flood water. The worst civil engineering disaster in American history saw floodwalls and levees give way, as over 1,500 people lost their lives. Clean up efforts were complicated when the city's Lower Ninth Ward was reflooded by Hurricane Rita. Greater New Orleans had about 1.4 million residents prior to Katrina. The city was inhabited by 484,674 people by U.S. Census Bureau figures in 2000. Estimates in 2006 found the city's population was more than cut in half. As flood victims returned to their homes, the population has risen to anywhere from 60 to 70% of the 2000 census figure. For people reporting one race alone, 58.8% of New Orleans population was African American. By census reports, that's almost five times the national figure.

About 34% of New Orlean's population was White non-Hispanic, 4.1% was Hispanic. The median age of residents was 40.6 years, over four years ahead of the U.S. The average family size was also somewhat larger at 4.1. Families made up 55% of city households. Many residents were born and raised in Louisiana with 95% of the population native to the U.S. About 81% of people 25 and older had earned a high school diploma, 32% had a bachelor's degree or higher. However, 19% of those over the age of 16 were dropouts. Poverty has long been an issue for New Orleans with 22.2% of residents being poor. This figure is driven higher by the 30% of African Americans, and 42% of children under 18 below the poverty level.

The most common jobs for people living in New Orleans was in the management, professional and related occupations at 37% of the workforce.
The median income of households in 2006 was significantly low at $35,859. The U.S. average was $48,451. Per capita income came much closer to the national figure at $23,809. The economy of this city is dominated by four major sectors: petroleum, tourism, shipbuilding and ports, and aerospace manufacturing. The presence of military installations, hospitals and universities help diversify the area economy. The Port of New Orleans is the 5th largest in the country. Seventy percent of the nation's waterways drain through the port where imports and exports include iron and steel, manufacturing, agricultural, and petrochemical industries.

Many oil rigs just offshore help make Louisiana one of the biggest oil producers with reserves in the country. The area has many major pipelines to supply the nation. Tourism was a driving force prior to the hurricanes of 2005. New Orlean's biggest draws start with the Mardis Gras festival, and attractions in the historic French Quarter, riverboat gambling and more. The city was getting more than 10 million visitors annually before the storms of 2005. In 2004, tourists spent $4.9 billion in New Orleans. Tourism employed 85,000 people, making it New Orleans' top industry.

Hurricanes that ravaged New Orleans left many properties in shambles. Federal assistance is expected to restore and improve city homes in years to come. Only 10% of city dwellings had been built since 1990, while median home values soared past the national average. The average home was estimated to be worth $208,500 in 2006, roughly $23,000 ahead of the national average. The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $1,446, while renters were paying $838 a month. Nearly 60% of renters reported spending 30% or more of their household income on housing. An extremely low tax burden in Louisiana has benefited homeowners. Average annual property taxes in 2005 ranged from $223 for non-mortgaged homes to $555 for those with a lien.

New Orleans had recaptured an infamous title in 2002 as the nation's "murder capital". From 1999 to 2004, homicide was on the rise. New Orleans had the highest murder rate of any major city in 2002, and again in 2003 with 275 homicides. Violent crime is a much greater problem for residents than for tourists. Murders and other violent crimes are high among some low-income neighborhoods where drug trafficking is a concern. After Hurricane Katrina, media attention focused on the reduced violent crime rate, following the exodus of many residents. However, statistics show violent crime is on the rise again. Residents marched on city hall in 2007 to demand attention to the growing crime problem. Following Hurricane Katrina, the state of Louisiana assumed control of New Orleans' public education system. In 2003, the city had more than 70,000 students enrolled at over 150 facilities. The student to teacher ratio was 16.6:1 with $6,501 funding per pupil. Catholic schools provided a majority of private education. The New Orleans area supports eight four-year colleges, including the University of New Orleans, Tulane University, and Loyola University.

New Orleans would not exist without the Mississippi River. The city grew from a tiny swamp outpost. Built on soft sand, silt and clay, New Orleans was originally settled on natural high ground along the river. But according to the American Society of Civil Engineers, New Orleans is sinking. Large portions are currently below sea level and continue to sink. Groundwater withdrawals, petroleum production, development, and other factors have contributed to erosion. Because of its low elevation, FEMA says New Orleans is the most vulnerable place for hurricanes in the U.S. The city's climate is described as humid subtropical.

Winters are short and generally mild, while summers are humid and hot. In July, lows average 74 degrees while the highs average 91. The average annual precipitation is 64.2 inches. Like many United States cities, New Orleans has developed a distinctive dialect. Many immigrant groups have contributed from Irish, Italian, Sicilian, Jewish and German ancestries. Many consider jazz to have come of age with the trumpet genius of Louis Armstrong, a New Orleans native. This city is also the birthplace of Lee Harvey Oswald, author Anne Rice, musician Wynton Marsalis, Fats Domino, Louis Prima and actor John Larroquette. Movies filmed here in recent years include Ray, Runaway Jury, and The Pelican Brief. The Louisiana Superdome gained national attention in the aftermath of Katrina. The stadium has hosted NFL Superbowls, the Sugar Bowl and was home to the NFL's New Orleans Saints. New Orleans has been dubbed the nation's culinary capital. Cajun and Creole cuisine with specialties like jambalaya and gumbo are commonly featured at over 3,000 area restaurants.

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