Fun Facts about New Orleans

Like so many other destinations, the unusual and offbeat facts about New Orleans are a huge part of its charm and excitement. Did you know…

See also: Talk the talk of New Orleans.

Originally built in 1718, the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans is the oldest cathedral in the U.S. The present structure, the third one on the site, dates from 1789.

The first Mardi Gras parade took place on Shrove Tuesday in 1838 in New Orleans.

The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the longest over-water bridge in the world at 23.87 miles.

The formal transfer of the Louisiana Purchase was made at the Cabildo building in New Orleans on Dec. 20, 1803.

Opera was first performed in the U.S. at New Orleans in 1796.

The largest single construction permit recorded in Louisiana totaled $98,090,000 for the building of the Superdome in New Orleans.

New Orleans is the largest port on the Gulf of Mexico, the second largest in the U.S. and the third largest in the world in volume of cargo handled.

New Orleans is the No. 1 port in trade with Latin America.

Much of the world's food, coffee and oil pass through the Port of New Orleans.

Tabasco, a Louisiana pepper sauce bottled on Avery Island by the McIlhenny Company, holds the second oldest food trademark in the U.S. Patent Office.

Steen's Syrup Mill is the world's largest syrup plant producing sugar cane syrup.

Next: More historical firsts in New Orleans. >>