LOUISIANA -  UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - TRAVEL & LODGING GUIDE

The state of Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties. The largest parish by population is Jefferson Parish, and the largest by land area is Cameron Parish.

Some Louisiana urban environments have a multicultural, multilingual heritage, being so strongly influenced by an admixture of 18th century French, Spanish and African cultures that they are considered to be somewhat exceptional in the U.S. Before the American influx and statehood at the beginning of the 19th century, the territory of current Louisiana State had been a Spanish and French colony. In addition, the pattern of development included importing numerous Africans in the 18th century, with many from the same region of West Africa, thus concentrating their culture.

Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday in English) in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a Carnival  celebration well-known throughout the world.

The New Orleans Carnival season, with roots in preparing for the start of the Christian season of Lent, starts after Twelfth Night, on Epiphany (January 6). It is a season of parades, balls (some of them masquerade balls), and king cake parties. It has traditionally been part of the winter social season; at one time "coming out" parties for young women at débutante balls were timed for this season.

Celebrations are concentrated for about two weeks before and through Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French), the day before Ash Wednesday. Usually there is one major parade each day (weather permitting); many days have several large parades. The largest and most elaborate parades take place the last five days of the season. In the final week of Carnival, many events large and small occur throughout New Orleans and surrounding communities.

The parades in New Orleans are organized by Carnival krewes. Krewe float riders toss throws to the crowds; the most common throws are strings of plastic colorful beads, doubloons (aluminum or wooden dollar-sized coins usually impressed with a krewe logo), decorated plastic throw cups, and small inexpensive toys. Major krewes follow the same parade schedule and route each year. 

In New Orleans, Boot camp adventures for women can be found at Adventure Boot Camp, the hottest fitness craze to hit Louisiana in years. If you are like most women, you ate a little too much over the holidays and are looking to get back into those skinny jeans. This outing can help you achieve your health and fitness goals with a rigorous activity plan that will make you feel not only healthy, but truly athletic. Only a boot camp can invigorate you and motivate you in a way that lasts past the workout. The skilled trainers at this place will work with you to challenge your fears about working out and banish the fat for good!

A four week program that offers fitness instruction, nutritional counseling and motivational training, this place is completely packed with energizing activities that will push you farther than you thought it was possible to go. Have you ever wondered how the best side of you really looks like? An intensive four week program like this one is the best possible step to find out. And the results don't end with the course. Most women who complete the program report a renewed interest in exercise, healthy eating and other healthy behaviors - many are committed to these choices for life, in large part due to the physical and emotional changes they made at New Orleans Boot Camp.

Excess weight and unused muscles are a waste of your potential. At this place, women feel more like athletes than they ever imagined. The rush you'll get from pushing yourself to your limit and realizing how far you can go is going to amaze and astound you. By the time you leave, you'll have undoubtedly undergone a physical and emotional transformation.

No matter your situation, this place will help you to strive on the path to health and wellness and learn to enjoy it as well. Perhaps you've recently had a baby and are trying to shed that stubborn baby weight, or maybe there's a wedding or a reunion in your future and you would like to show up toned and tight.

Even if there is no reason to justify your decision to get fit and lose weight, it is never bad to get in shape and discover the extended part of yourself that is the fit and the healthy you. This camp aims to give you a healthy lifestyle that helps you to live longer and enjoy a stress free life. All fitness levels are accepted, from couch potato to avid gym enthusiast. Come as you are and add a new feature to your persona.

Baton Rouge is a major industrial and petrochemical center of the American South. The Port of Baton Rouge is the ninth largest in the United States in terms of tonnage shipped.  The Baton Rouge region is called the "Capital Area."

New Orleans is located in southeastern Louisiana, straddling the Mississippi River. The boundaries of the city and Orleans Parish are coterminous. The city and parish are bounded by the parishes of St. Tammany to the north, St. Bernard to the east, Plaquemines to the south and Jefferson to the south and west. Lake Pontchartrain, part of which is included in the city limits, lies to the north and Lake Borgne lies to the east.