First founded by the French in 1719, Louisiana's state capital New Orleans fast grew into an important trading city on the Mississippi, and developed along the riverside as a colonial town blighted by economic failure, with a reputation for being a place to enjoy vices rather than a place to enjoy the finer things in life.
In 1762, the Spanish took control in Louisiana as a whole as part of a deal thanking the Spanish for their help in the war against Britain, and it was during the period of Spanish control that many of the city's most prominent buildings were constructed including much of the French Quarter.
Although the French retook control in 1800, in 1803, the territory was sold to the American government, retaining much of its previous legislation and culture. As one of the most important states as far as the slave trade the civil war in the mid 19th century saw Louisiana become a part of Confederate America, though it was one of the first states to be conquered by the union.
Jazz developed in the city after segregation, when the black population gathered in Congo Square to sing and dance to African Music, and soon, the musicians were playing in the red light district's bars.
Restoration of the French Quarter after the second world war, when de-segregation saw many blacks move into the city centre, and many whites move out.
Tourism began to really boom in the 1970s, and the annual Mardi Gras developed into the party of the year in the country, attracting millions of visitors to see the parades and the balls in person.
