Where is New Orleans?

Written by | Last Updated: January, 2025, 10:47 AM ET

The given New Orleans location map shows that New Orleans is located in the south-eastern part of the United States and also south-eastern region of Louisiana.It is located along the banks of the Mississippi River, near its mouth on the Gulf of Mexico.

Location Map of New Orleans

Where is New Orleans Located on US MAP

About Map: Map showing Location of New Orleans in the U.S. State of Louisiana.

Where is New Orleans?

It is situated almsot at the coast of Gulf of Mexico. Some of the part of Lake Pontchartrain is included in the city lies in the north and Lake Borgne in the east.

The name of city is given after the name of Philippe d' Orleans, Duke of Orleans (Regent of France). He was quite knowledgeable and recognized architecture of France. Interestingly, New Orleans is more popularly known for its music (it is the birthplace of jazz), cuisine, and its annual celebrations and festivals, most remarkably Mardi Gras. More often, the city is referred to as the "most unique" city in America.

Key Geographic Details:

Approximately 105 miles (169 kilometers) southeast of Baton Rouge, the state capital.

Positioned below sea level in some areas, with an intricate system of levees and pumps to prevent flooding.

Known for its vibrant culture, historic French Quarter, and events like Mardi Gras, New Orleans serves as a cultural and economic hub of the region.

New Orleans, Louisiana Quick Facts

FactDetails
CityNew Orleans
CountyOrleans Parish
StateLouisiana
State CapitalBaton Rouge
US RegionSouth
Latitude29.9511° N
Longitude90.0715° W
Elevation3 ft (1 m)
Land Area169.4 sq mi
Water Area180.6 sq mi
Total Area350.0 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)383,997
Population DensityApproximately 2,267 per sq mi
ZIP Codes70112, 70113, 70114, 70115, 70116, 70117, 70118, 70119, 70121, 70122, 70123, 70124, 70125, 70126, 70127, 70128, 70129, 70130, 70131, 70139, 70140, 70141, 70142, 70143, 70145, 70146, 70148, 70149, 70150, 70151, 70152, 70153, 70154, 70156, 70157, 70158, 70159, 70160, 70161, 70162, 70163, 70164, 70165, 70166, 70167, 70170, 70172, 70174, 70175, 70176, 70177, 70178, 70179, 70181, 70182, 70183, 70184, 70185, 70186, 70187, 70189, 70190, 70195
Area Code504
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST, UTC-6)
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5)
CurrencyUS Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code22-55000
Congressional DistrictLouisiana 2nd Congressional District

Top Places to See in New Orleans

Jackson SquareThe National WWII MuseumHarrah's Casino New OrleansLouis Armstrong Park
Audubon Aquarium of the AmericasAudubon ZooNew Orleans Museum of ArtJean Lafitte National Historical Park and
St. Louis CathedralFrenchmen StreetAudubon Park - St. CharlesCarousel Gardens Amusement Park
Shops of the Colonnade - FrenchPreservation HallAudubon Butterfly Garden and InsectariumNapoleon House
Mardi Gras WorldCity ParkSaint Louis Cemetery No. 2New Orleans Historic Voodoo

Location and Surroundings

New Orleans is located in southeastern Louisiana along the Mississippi River near the Gulf of Mexico. It lies between Lake Pontchartrain to the north and the Mississippi River Delta to the south. The city is known for its French and Spanish heritage, jazz music, Mardi Gras celebrations, historic architecture, and major port facilities.

Nearby Cities to New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Metairie, Louisiana - 6 mi Northwest
  • Kenner, Louisiana - 11 mi West
  • Gretna, Louisiana - 4 mi Southwest
  • Harvey, Louisiana - 6 mi Southwest
  • Marrero, Louisiana - 8 mi Southwest
  • Chalmette, Louisiana - 7 mi East
  • Westwego, Louisiana - 9 mi Southwest
  • Slidell, Louisiana - 34 mi Northeast
  • Mandeville, Louisiana - 38 mi North
  • Covington, Louisiana - 43 mi North

New Orleans, Louisiana Climate and Weather Overview

MonthAvg High (°F)Avg Low (°F)Avg Rainfall (in)
January63465.3
April78614.8
July92766.0
October82643.4
Annual806363.0
Climate AttributeDetails
Climate Classification (Köppen)Humid Subtropical (Cfa)
Annual RainfallAbout 63 inches
Annual Sunshine DaysApproximately 216 days
Hurricane/Tornado RiskHigh hurricane risk, low tornado risk
SnowfallRare, less than 1 inch annually

Driving Distances from New Orleans, Louisiana

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
GretnaLouisiana410 min
MetairieLouisiana615 min
HarveyLouisiana615 min
ChalmetteLouisiana715 min
MarreroLouisiana820 min
WestwegoLouisiana920 min
KennerLouisiana1120 min
SlidellLouisiana3440 min
MandevilleLouisiana3845 min
CovingtonLouisiana4350 min

Transportation and Connectivity in New Orleans, Louisiana

CategoryDetails
Airport NameLouis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
IATA CodeMSY
PortPort of New Orleans
Major HighwaysI-10, I-610, US 90, US 61, LA 47
Train/Amtrak ServiceAmtrak City of New Orleans, Crescent and Sunset Limited
Local Bus/Transit ServiceNew Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA)
  • Interstate 10 - Major east-west corridor connecting New Orleans with Houston, Baton Rouge, and Florida.
  • Interstate 610 - Urban bypass route serving central New Orleans.
  • US Highway 90 - Connects the city with southern Louisiana and Mississippi.
  • US Highway 61 - Historic route linking New Orleans with Baton Rouge and Memphis.
  • Louisiana Highway 47 - Provides access to eastern New Orleans and surrounding communities.

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in New Orleans, Louisiana

Landmark NameType
French QuarterHistoric District
Jackson SquareHistoric Landmark
Bourbon StreetEntertainment District
St. Louis CathedralHistoric Church
National WWII MuseumMuseum
Garden DistrictHistoric Neighborhood
Audubon ZooZoo
City ParkUrban Park
Preservation HallMusic Venue
Caesars SuperdomeSports Venue

Waterbodies in New Orleans, Louisiana

Mississippi River, Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Borgne, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Bayou St. John, Industrial Canal, Chef Menteur Pass, Harvey Canal, London Avenue Canal, Orleans Canal

Golf Courses in New Orleans, Louisiana

Audubon Park Golf Course, Bayou Oaks at City Park South Course, Bayou Oaks at City Park North Course, English Turn Golf & Country Club, Lakewood Golf Club, Timberlane Country Club, TPC Louisiana, Joseph M. Bartholomew Municipal Golf Course, Chateau Golf & Country Club, Stonebridge Golf Club

Economy and Major Employers in New Orleans, Louisiana

SectorMajor Employer or IndustryNotes
TourismHospitality and Entertainment IndustryMajor driver of the local economy.
Port OperationsPort of New OrleansOne of the busiest ports in the United States.
HealthcareOchsner HealthLeading healthcare provider and employer.
EducationTulane UniversityMajor research and educational institution.
EnergyOil, Gas and Energy ServicesImportant regional industry.
GovernmentCity and State AgenciesSignificant public-sector employment.
ShippingMaritime and Logistics IndustrySupports international trade activity.
Convention BusinessMeetings and Events IndustryGenerates substantial tourism revenue.

Colleges and Universities in New Orleans, Louisiana

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Tulane UniversityPrivateUniversityResearch, medicine, and public health programs
University of New OrleansPublicUniversityResearch and coastal sciences
Loyola University New OrleansPrivateUniversityLaw, music, and liberal arts programs
Xavier University of LouisianaPrivateUniversityHistorically Black university and pre-med programs
Dillard UniversityPrivateUniversityHistorically Black liberal arts education
Delgado Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeWorkforce training and technical education

New Orleans, Louisiana - Key Historical Facts

  • New Orleans was founded by the French in 1718 and became one of the most important colonial cities in North America.
  • The city was governed by both France and Spain before becoming part of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
  • Its strategic location on the Mississippi River helped make it a major port and commercial center.
  • New Orleans became the birthplace of jazz and remains one of the most influential music cities in the world.
  • Hurricane Katrina caused widespread devastation in 2005 and led to major rebuilding efforts across the city.
  • Today, New Orleans is internationally recognized for its culture, cuisine, festivals, music, and historic neighborhoods.

Sources

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