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The New Orleans Metropolitan Area, consisting of the Greater New Orleans region (Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parishes) and three additional parishes which share the perimeter of Lake Ponchartrain (St. Tammany, St. John the Baptist and St. Charles), is the largest metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Louisiana, centered around the city of New Orleans. The U.S. Census official designation of the area as of the 2005 definition is New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner MSA with a population of 1.4 million in seven parishes of southeastern Louisiana. It ranks as 35th largest metropolitan area in the United States, respectively.* The area was affected by Hurricane Katrina in late August of 2005, with effects ranging from moderate to devastating in various portions of the metropolitan area. As reconstruction continues, residents continue to gradually return. At the end of December 2005 it was estimated that the current population of the New Orleans metro area was approximately 900,000 to 950,000. As of June 2006, most population estimates put Greater New Orleans' population at approximately 1.2 million. Parishes regions map.gif|right|thumb|250px| http://ccet.louisiana.edu/03a_Cultural_Tourism_Files/01.00_The_Land.html Map of Louisiana regions, the Greater New Orleans region is shaded in brown. The New Orleans Metropolitan Area is composed of seven parishes, based on the U.S. Census Office of Management and Budget: Of those, four comprise the Greater New Orleans region, based on the state of Louisiana historical and economic regions *: Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and Saint Bernard. Principal cities Places between 10,000 and 50,000 inhabitants Places with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants Geographic divisions New Orleans Metropolitan Area is composed of five areas, mostly defined by the natural boundaries of Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River: the East Bank, the West Bank, the Lower Mississippi River Delta, the North Shore and the River Parishes. Greater New Orleans The layout of the Greater New Orleans region's names East Bank and West Bank are unusual because the Mississippi River actually meanders through the region in a more west-to-east orientation rather than north-to-south. The names of the two areas are relative to their continental directions. For example, the East Bank, though north of the Mississippi River, is on the side of the river in the eastern half of the United States. East Bank The "East Bank" is composed of the majority of the City of New Orleans and the most densely populated portion of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, as well as many of the region's major suburbs. These suburbs include Metairie, Kenner, Jefferson, and Harahan on the upstream side of the city. Further down the Mississippi River are the suburbs of Arabi, Chalmette, Meraux, Pointe a la Hache, and Violet. All of St. Bernard Parish and the eastern portion of Plaquemines Parish are located east of the river. West Bank The West Bank includes the Jefferson Parish communities of Gretna, Terrytown, Harvey, Marrero, Westwego, Lafitte, Estelle, Bridge City, Waggaman and Avondale. The western portion of Plaquemines Parish is also located here along with Belle Chasse, connected to the other suburbs by the Belle Chase Highway. The New Orleans communities of Algiers, Aurora Gardens, Cutoff, Stanton, and Tall Timbers, are located across the Mississippi River from the Central Business District (CBD) on the West Bank, but have long maintained their separate entities. Lower Mississippi River Delta The Lower Mississippi River Delta includes the eastern portion of St. Bernard Parish, home of the Isleños, and the southern portions of Jefferson Parish and Plaquemines Parish. It includes towns of Grand Isle and Port Sulphur. North Shore Saint Tammany is located on the North Shore which also includes other mixed rural and suburban Florida Parishes communities of Tangipahoa and Washington. The construction of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway bisecting the center of Lake Pontchartrain and more recently migration from the Greater New Orleans region of the south shore due to Hurricane Katrina, have spurred rapid growth in the North Shore area. The Saint Tammany communities which are part of the New Orleans metro area include Covington, Lacombe, Mandeville and Slidell. The northshore is the source of nearly all population growth in the metro area, though Jefferson and St. Charles Parishes also experience noticable annual growth, but not nearly as much as St. Tammany Parish. River Parishes Two of the River Parishes of Acadiana, St. Charles and St. John the Baptist, round out the New Orleans metro area. Cities to the west such as Destrehan, Luling and La Place are growing, which could foster the ultimate, anticipated merger between the Baton Rouge and New Orleans metro areas. Transportation The Louis Armstrong International Airport is located in western part of Jefferson Parish in the city of Kenner. Major highways in the area include Interstate 10, Interstate 12, and U.S. Highway 90. Train service is provide by Amtrak on the Crescent, City of New Orleans and Sunset Limited routes. Since Louisiana is under constant threat from hurricanes, the Louisiana State Police are prepared to enact a contraflow lane reversal program in order to evacuate the metropolitan area as quickly as possible. See also | |||||||
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