Topography

After conducting research on the topography I discovered so many different things about Louisiana and more specifically New Orleans.

In general there was some information about Louisiana that didn't stand out in particular, for instance, Louisiana lies wholly within the Gulf Coastal Plain, it is bordered by Mississippi, the Gulf of Mexico, Texas and Arkansas. This said, I immediately realized the problems that may come with being wholly engulfed by the Gulf Coastal Plain.

I found the fact that the lowest point in the whole of Louisiana is in New Orleans at 8 feet below sea level, the highest elevation in New Orleans is only 27 feet. This compared to an elevation of 1000 feet in Waverly, one can't help but wonder about Katrina and it's effect in relation to the elevation of NOLA.

Additionally, in general, the shape of New Orleans is bowl-like...many people attribute the damage that Katrina caused to the shape of the city. Some also argue that the levees and other flood & hurricane prevention systems simply weren't good enough. I personally felt that both were equally to blame, for instance it can't be a good thing (whether or not the prevention systems are good) that a lot of parts of the city are below sea level.

In retrospect, I am very excited to be going to New Orleans, to listen to the experiences of the people, to see the city, experience the culture (music, food, people).