10 (D-52) NEW ORLEANS: A Few Facts First

Repeating yesterday's newsflash in case you didn't see it:
You can go to Louisiana!  In Challes les Eaux this Saturday March 21st.  Take a look here:  http://nonc.jack.pagesperso-orange.fr/cajun.htm
Click Bulletin de réservation to read more information about it.
I've been there several times.  It's so much fun!
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New Orleans: Two dictionary definitions:

A city of southeast Louisiana between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain.  Founded in 1718, it became the capital of a French colony in 1722 and passed to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.  The city is known for its annual Mardi Gras celebrations and as the birthplace of jazz music.  In 2005, New Orleans was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, which caused breaches in the protective levee system that resulted in widespread flooding and the evacuation of much of the city.

A seaport in southeast Louisiana, on the Mississippi River, about 172 km (107 miles) from the sea; the largest city in the state and the second most important port in the US; founded by the French
in 1718; belonged to Spain (1763-1803).  It is largely below sea level, built around the Vieux Carré (French Quarter); famous for its annual Mardi Gras festival and for its part in the history of jazz; a major commercial, industrial and transportation center.

Population:  2014 population estimation for New Orleans is 379,000 people, which is down dramatically from 484,674 in 2000.  This is up from the 2010 Census population of 343,800, however, and New Orleans is growing and recovering from Hurricane Katrina that struck its coast in 2005.

Jane
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breach  = a gap or a hole made in a wall or fortification
levee = http://www.wordreference.com/definition/levee
widespread = extending over a wide area
flooding = the submerging of land under water http://www.wordreference.com/definition/flooding

Don't forget to use wordreference for pronunciation too.  Click the icon or click LISTEN.
OR 
DO YOU KNOW THIS SITE FOR PRONUNCIATION: http://www.howjsay.com  Enter the word in the box, click "SUBMIT" and then you have the pronunciation.  Try it.