Plaquemines Parish, Administrative division in Louisiana, USA
Plaquemines Parish is an administrative area in Louisiana that extends from the southern edge of New Orleans down to the Gulf of Mexico along the Mississippi River. The region consists largely of water, marshes, and interconnected waterways that define its landscape and geography.
The French established La Balize settlement in 1699, building a fort that served as a critical post for river pilots and navigation. This early foothold made the region important for controlling access and movement along the Mississippi.
The name comes from the Atakapa word piakimin, meaning persimmon, a fruit once common in the area. Life here revolves around fishing and water-based traditions that have shaped the community for generations.
The administrative seat is located in Pointe à la Hache, while Belle Chasse is the largest community in the area. Getting around is easiest by boat or car along the main routes that connect the scattered settlements.
Roughly 70 percent of the region is water, making it one of the most water-filled areas in the country. This extensive network of waterways shapes daily life and forms the backbone of the local economy.
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