Situated on the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge represents the best of Louisiana's vibrant culture. The state capital, Baton Rouge is a thriving city that is home to both LSU and Southern University and numerous businesses and industrial facilities. Known for its great people, its unique food and its lively music, Red Stick has something for everyone - including a local government that cares.

Baton Rouge is over 200 years old. Its name comes from a large red pole the French explorers found on a cliff overlooking the Mississippi River just north of the present location of the city. The pole was placed there by members of two Native American nations to mark the boundary of their territories. The pole was stained red from the blood of animals they had captured and was clearly visible from the river on the first high ground encountered on the river from the Gulf of Mexico.

Baton Rouge, is the capital and the second largest city in Louisiana behind New Orleans. The effects of Hurricane Katrina have, at least temporarily, reduced the population of Orleans Parish to the point, that East Baton Rouge Parish is currently more highly populated than Orleans Parish.