Damaged Pier Building, Hurricane Katrina, On The Mississippi Near New Orleans Stock Photo

Damaged pier building, caused by Hurricane Katrina, on the Mississippi near New Orleans. New Orleans is a Louisiana city on the Mississippi River, near the Gulf of Mexico. Nicknamed the `Big Easy,` it`s known for its round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live-music scene and spicy, singular cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures. Embodying its festive spirit is Mardi Gras, the late-winter carnival famed for raucous costumed parades and street parties.