A pelican tearing at its breast to feed its young is the central emblem of the flag. Real pelicans never perform this activity, but from the Middle Ages this symbol has represented the spirit of self-sacrifice and dedication to progeny. In graphic form the image was found in many books, prints, and paintings, and it was traditionally recalled by early French settlers of Louisiana. As early as 1812 the pelican was used as a Louisiana symbol; it appeared on the state seal, as well as on some unofficial flags. During the Civil War (1861-65) Louisiana adopted a flag somewhat resembling the Stars and Stripes but with stripes of red, white, and blue and a red canton with a single yellow star. It thus incorporated the colors of France and Spain, former colonial rulers of Louisiana, and of the United States. In 1912, the centennial of statehood, the state legislature recognized the current flag design.

Louisiana Official name: State of Louisiana. State nickname: the Pelican State. Total area: 49,651 sq mi, 128,595 sq km. Population (2000): 4,468,976. Population by race, origin (1997): white non-Hispanic 64.0%; white Hispanic 2.2%; black (including Hispanic) 32.1%; American Indian/Eskimo/Aleut 0.5%; Asian/Pacific Islander 1.2%. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1995): 6.0 (U.S. avg. 6.0). Gross domestic (state) product (1996): U.S.$121,100,000,000 (U.S.$27,900 per capita). Land use (1992): federal land 4.6%; non-federal land 95.4%, of which forest 46.9%, cropland 21.6%, pasture 8.2%, rangeland 0.8%, urban and built-up areas 6.4%, other 11.5%. Exports by state (1997): U.S.$18,732,000,000; percent of national total 3.04%.

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