Rotary International Conventions

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Travel Guide Rotary International Convention 2011 New Orleans USA 1-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

2-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

3-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

4-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

New Orleans, Louisiana May 21 – 25, 2011 Sunday

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5-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Where in the world is New Orleans? 

Southern Coast of the United States – on the Gulf of Mexico – in the State of Louisiana;

Thailand New Orleans



About 14,600 km by air from Thailand;



Discovered and settled by European explorers more than 300 years ago;



English is the major language – but there is still some French spoken in the area.

6-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

North America

Vancouver

Montreal RI 2010

New Orleans R! 2011

Gulf of Mexico

7-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

New Orleans, Louisiana Facts & Figures 

New Orleans is located in the southern United States state of Louisiana, on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico – where the Mississippi River flows into the Gulf;

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The population of the New Orleans metro area is about 1 million – the Hurricane Katrina Disaster forced thousands of families to move away, but now, many are returning to rebuild their homes in and around New Orleans;

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When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, it flooded more than 80% of the city;

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This city is a major U.S. sea port – only 170 km from the Gulf of Mexico. Ocean-going cargo ships easily access this port city;

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The State of Louisiana was claimed by France in 1699. Louisiana is the only US state that was once a French colony;

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New Orleans was settled in 1718 by the French – and was controlled by either France or Spain until 1803 – when it (and the Louisiana Territory) was purchased by the United States;

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The Louisiana Superdome – one of the largest covered sports stadiums in the world – is located in New Orleans;

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The French Quarter of New Orleans is in a part of New Orleans that dates back to the French settlements in the 1700’s. It is also the only U.S. city where French was the main language for over 100 years;

8-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Distances by Air Chiang Mai Chiang Mai Chiang Mai Chiang Mai Chiang Mai Chiang Mai Chiang Mai Chiang Mai

Bangkok Hong Kong Sydney, Australia London, England Capetown, South Africa South Pole Toronto, Canada New Orleans, Louisiana

580 km 1,630 km 8,040 km 9,000 km 10,300 km 12,000 km 14,000 km 14,600 km

Flying to New Orleans using the Polar Routes Thailand Japan Russia Montreal RI 2010

Canada

USA

New Orleans RI 2011

When flying from Chiang Mai to New Orleans today, we use the polar routes – flying north over Russia and Canada to make the trip shorter and faster.

9-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

The Mardi Gras Celebration in New Orleans Mardi Gras is a famous celebration that was brought to Louisiana by early French settlers. This party was held in Louisiana at the mouth of the Mississippi River, starting in the 1700’s.

Today, Mardi Gras is a huge street party at which people wearing masks and costumes “dance in the streets”. It started as a part of religious celebrations for the Roman Catholic religion.

Mardi Gras is usually held in March or April and the dates are set each year according to the Christian celebration of Lent and Easter. Street parties and parades are very popular. The next Mardi Gras will be held around March 8th, 2011.

Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” in English.

10-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Historic street car in New Orleans.

An air boat for travel in shallow swamp lands around New Orleans.

A paddle wheel boat on the shallow Mississippi River.

11-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Where did the First North Americans come from?

Scientists do not agree on where the First Peoples (also known as Indians) came from, or how they got to North America. They do agree that the First Peoples are genetically related to people in parts of Asia.

Scientists know that the Native Peoples have lived in what is now Canada and the US for at least 12,000 years, because they have found bones and artifacts that go back that far. Many scientists now believe that some of the Native Peoples may have been here for much longer than that.

Scientists believe that the ancestors of North America’s First Peoples crossed over to North America from Asia on foot – at the end of the last ice age – about 12,000 years ago.

At that time Asia and North America were joined by a "land bridge”. This happened because the sea levels then were much lower than they are now. The earliest man-made artifacts – tools and ornaments that scientists have found – date from that time.

12-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Date

Explorer

Around Leif Ericson 1000

From Norway

Famous because …

First European (Viking) to reach North America

1492- Christopher Columbus Italy 1504 1497John Cabot Italy 1498

Made 4 voyages to West Indies and “Discovered America”

1513

Balboa

Spain

Crossed Panama and found the Pacific Ocean

1513

Ponce de Leon

Spain

Explored Florida looking for the Fountain of Youth

Explored the shores of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Labrador in Canada

Some Famous Europeans Explored North America

13-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011 1519Hernando Cortez 1521

Spain

Explored Mexico

1534Jacques Cartier 1542

France

Travelled the St. Lawrence River into the heart of North America

1541

Spain

Discovered the Mississippi River

1540Coronado 1542

Spain

Explored Southwest US

1672

Marquette and Joliet

France Explored Northern Mississippi River

1682

LaSalle

France

De Soto

Traveled to the mouth of the Mississippi River (New Orleans) and claimed it for France

The first European settlement in North America was set up by the Vikings in the year 1000. It was located in North Eastern Canada – near the Atlantic Ocean.

Christopher Columbus is famous for “discovering America” in 1492.

But, he arrived in North America almost 500 years after the Vikings started the first European settlement in North America.

And he is famous too for calling the Native Peoples that he met “Indians” – since he thought that he was in India.

14-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

In November, 1620, 102 settlers arrived in North America on their ship the Mayflower. They landed and set up a colony near Boston. They were known as the Pilgrims from Plymouth, England and were looking for a place where they would have religious freedom.

Many European fishermen visited Eastern Canada during the 1600’s.

John Cabot became very famous for this.

During the 1700’s and 1800’s, the major European countries – England, France and Spain – claimed huge areas of land in the North America so that they could use the resources (fish, lumber, furs, gold) that were found there.

They also settled along the rivers 15-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

and coastlines

Starting in the 1600’s, St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes were important for explorers as they travelled from the Atlantic Ocean into the center of North America – what is now the United States and Canada.

During the 1500’s and 1600’s, The Mississippi River was also being used to explore the center of North America. European explorers – from France, Spain and England – used the river as a way to explore the central part of North America. They were still looking for the water route to China.

The Mississippi is the largest river system in North America. It is about 3,730 km (2,320 miles) long. The river starts in the US state of Minnesota, near the US/Canada border. It flows slowly southwards – 16-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

with many bends and turns – ending 160 km (95 river miles) south of New Orleans, Louisiana where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico.

It is the fourth longest river in the world.

Hundreds of Native American tribes have depended on the Mississippi River and its tributaries for thousands of years.

The buffalo hunt on the plains.

North America

17-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Vancouver

Montreal RI 2010

New Orleans R! 2011

Gulf of Mexico

18-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Any European country could buy, sell, trade or conquer land from another. This happened many times during the early history of the United States and Canada. The Europeans could do this because very few people lived in the Central and Western parts of North America.

Canada - 1800 This map shows (in pink) the size of Canada in the 1800’s. It was a very small colony at that time – located along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. It was a British colony until 1867. Niagara, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City were the major centers of population.

Canada’s population in 1800 was estimated to be about 100,000 people.

A water wheel (grist mill) for making flour from wheat.

19-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

The USA 1800

This map shows the size of the US after independence from England in 1776. The 13 Colonies are in pink.

These were all of the United States at that time.

New Orleans, Louisiana

As you can see, the US was a very small area along the East Coast of North America. The estimated population of the US in 1800 was 5 million.

The Louisiana Territory is shown on the map in brown.

In 1803, The United States bought this land [2,147,000 km2] from France for US $15 million.

The Louisiana Purchase was huge – it makes up all or part of 14 current US states and 2 Canadian provinces. When it became a part of the United States in 1803, the Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States at that time. Today – this territory is about ¼ of the size of the entire United States.

The area of the Louisiana Purchase is almost 4 times the area of Thailand today.

20-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

The United States – 1803

Niagara &, Toronto

US Expands west

New Orleans, Louisiana

The United States of America in 1810 was much larger than it was in 1800. The country was anxious to expand and become a larger, more powerful country.

From the map, all of the areas in BLUE, RED and GREEN were part of the United States by 1810. In 7 short years, the US has moved its borders west towards the Pacific Ocean.

Travel on the Mississippi River near New Orleans.

21-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

In 1812, the United States wanted more land …

Expansion North?

Niagara &, Toronto

New Orleans, Louisiana

The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and England – the question – who would control Canada. In 1812, the US wanted to expand north and take over Canada. England wanted to keep Canada as a colony and a good source of raw materials.

British Fort Erie – 1812 Along the Canada - US border.

22-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

The War of 1812 - 1814

What country will control Canada?

The War of 1812 – 1814 was fought in the Niagara – Toronto – Montreal areas of Canada, along the Atlantic Coast of the United States, and in New Orleans, Louisiana.

During this War, American troops attacked Toronto, and burned the Parliament Buildings there. Later, British troops attacked Washington, and burned the White House.

23-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

<<< The Battle of New Orleans 1814

The War of 1812 ended with the signing of a Peace Treaty between England and the United States. Historians agree that “no one” really “won” the war, but it was the last war ever fought between Canada and the United States.

One sad event – the Battle of New Orleans – was fought weeks after the war ended. The news of the peace treaty arrived weeks late due to poor communications at that time.

Today, Canadians and Americans are very close friends – and major trading partners. These two countries share what is known as the world’s longest undefended border.

They also share the 5 Great Lakes (Huron, Superior, Michigan, Erie and Ontario) – the world’s largest supply of fresh water.

US Population

350 million

Canadian Population

35 million

24-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Facts & figures – New Orleans

Climate Month Average high temps

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

June

July

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Year

61.8 65.3 72.1 78.0 84.8 89.4 91.1 91.0 87.1 79.7 71.0 64.5 78.0 (16.56) (18.5) (22.28) (25.56) (29.33) (31.89) (32.83) (32.78) (30.61) (26.5) (21.67) (18.06) (25.56)

°F (°C) Average low temps

43.4 46.1 52.7 58.4 66.4 72.0 74.2 73.9 70.6 60.2 51.8 (6.33) (7.83) (11.5) (14.67) (19.11) (22.22) (23.44) (23.28) (21.44) (15.67) (11)

45.6 59.6 (7.56) (15.33)

°F (°C) Rain 5.87 5.47 5.24 5.02 4.62 6.83 6.20 6.15 5.55 3.05 5.09 5.07 64.16 inches (149.1) (138.9) (133.1) (127.5) (117.3) (173.5) (157.5) (156.2) (141) (77.5) (129.3) (128.8) (1,629.7) (mm) Sunshine hours

151.9 163.9 220.1 252.0 279.0 273.0 257.3 251.1 228.0 241.8 171.0 158.1 2,647.2

25-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

What are Cajuns? Where did they come from?

The first Acadians settled in the very Eastern part of Canada, along the Atlantic Ocean in an area called Nova Scotia. They spoke French and followed the Roman Catholic Religion.

Later, they wanted to follow their language and religion, but found England was settling more and more people in Canada during the 1750’s and 1760’s.

In order to keep their religion, language and culture, the Acadians moved out of Canada and south into the United States – first to the New England area, then farther south into North Carolina, and then to the Louisiana Territory.

During the 1700’s, The Louisiana Territory was owned at one time by Spain and then by France.

Since the Roman Catholic Religion was common to both France and Spain, the Acadians were welcomed to become settlers in Louisiana – and they settled along the Mississippi River.

During the 1800’s, the Acadians were able to keep their culture and language. It was at this time that their proper name – "Acadian" – was shortened to a slang word – "Cajun".

Now, over 200 years after they left Nova Scotia in Canada, more than 400,000 descendants of the Acadians live in Louisiana.

The Mississippi River 26-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America – but it is only the 2nd longest river in the US. It is about 3,730 km (2,320 miles) long.

The river starts to the north in the US state of Minnesota – along the US/Canada border, and flows slowly southwards – with many bends and turns – ending 160 km (95 river miles) South of New Orleans, Louisiana, where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico.

The Mississippi River flows south from the US – Canada border into the Gulf of Mexico.

The River flows South

New Orleans, Louisiana

The Mississippi is the fourth longest river in the world.

Hundreds of Native American tribes have depended on the Mississippi River and its tributaries for thousands of years for 27-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

transportation and as a good source of water. To the Native Peoples, this was the “Great River Road” for trade and travel.

Later, European explorers – from France, Spain and England – used the river as a way to explore the central part of North America.

The explorers started travelling along the Mississippi River during the 1500s and 1600s – searching for a water route from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

Famous French explorers Marquette and Joliet explore the Mississippi River in 1673.

28-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

The Paddle Wheeler

As time went on, and more people settled in towns along the river, steamboats were used for travel and shipping. The Mississippi is noted for being a slow moving, and relatively shallow river.

Since the River is shallow, the wide paddle wheel boats worked very well.

These boats did not need deep water – and the paddle wheels moved the boats along the river – again, very useful in the shallow waters of the Mississippi.

29-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Shipping on the Mississippi today Today barges are used to transport many goods along the river – because it is so shallow.

Ocean going ships can dock along the Mississippi River at New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Beyond this area, cargo is loaded onto barges for shipment to markets up the Mississippi.

Moving 1,500 tons of metal requires…

1 barge =

20 railway cars =

75 transport trucks with trailers =

30-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Barges on the Mississippi River today

Barges on the Mississippi River.

The size and extent of the levee system of dykes and dams can be seen here.

The US Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for building and making repairs to these levees.

31-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Jazz In

new orleans Dixieland or Dixie is a name for the southeastern portion of the United States – including New Orleans.

Dixieland music sometimes referred to as Hot Jazz, Early Jazz or New Orleans jazz, is a style of jazz which developed in New Orleans in the early 1900’s, and then spread to Chicago and New York City by the New Orleans bands in the early 1900’s.

Dixieland jazz combined brass band marches, French Quadrilles, ragtime and blues with improvisation by trumpet (or cornet), trombone, and clarinet over a "rhythm section" of piano, guitar or banjo, drums, and a double bass or tuba.

32-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Hurricane Katrina 2005 New Orleans, Louisiana was hit by a major hurricane in August 2005. Hurricanes have been a part of New Orleans history since the city was settled in the early 1700’s by the French.

Hurricane Katrina is the most famous – and most dangerous storm - in the history of New Orleans.

A "hurricane" and "typhoon" and "tropical cyclone" are generally the same thing – depending on where you live in the world.

August These hurricanes bring 2005 dangerous thunderstorms.

These storms produce large amounts of rain and high winds. The category of the storm is based on the strength or speed of the winds.

33-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Did you know that in the past 160 years – since weather records have been kept – Louisiana has been hit by 49 of the 273 hurricanes (nearly 20%) that have hit America’s Gulf of Mexico Coast.

18 major hurricanes (category 3 or above) have hit Louisiana.

On average, at least one major hurricane hits New Orleans every decade.

New Orleans

Florida

Gulf of Mexico

Mexico

Cuba

This is a view of Hurricane Katrina as seen from Space. In this satellite picture, the eye of the hurricane is centered over the Gulf of Mexico – and is travelling in the direction of the red arrow – directly towards New Orleans and the Louisiana coastline.

34-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

The Problems for New Orleans …

New Orleans is in the State of Louisiana and is located along the Mississippi River, near the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It is home to about 500,000 people.

The City of New Orleans has been built in a shallow depression (like a saucer) which is protected from the waters of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico by levees (man made dykes or dams).

The City of New Orleans is about 1.8 meters (6 feet) below sea level. <<< a levee along the Mississippi River.

For all of these reasons, massive flooding can happen during a hurricane because there is nowhere for the floodwaters to go. And these dykes and dams (levees) that were built to protect the city from high flood waters can be damaged or destroyed by the storm surge – the wall of water that crashes into the City from the Gulf during some hurricanes. A storm surge from Category 3, 4, or 5 hurricanes can reach 10 meters (30 feet)!

35-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

<<<

A storm surge washes over the tops of the levees along the Mississippi River and floods over New Orleans – August 2005.

^

New Orleans – The results of the storm surge after breaking through the levees along the banks of the Mississippi River – 2005.

<<<

Clean up begins after Hurricane Katrina.

36-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

<<<

The Superdome in New Orleans 2010 – It seats 60,000 to 70,000 people for Sports and Entertainment events.

It will host the Super Bowl in 2013.

<<<

The damaged Superdome roof – 2005.

<<<

Flooded streets in New Orleans around the Superdome.

Water flooded New Orleans around the Superdome – the roof was damaged by the Hurricane in 2005. >>>>>

Hurricane Katrina – New Orleans – 2005 37-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

The center (eye) of Hurricane Katrina passed just east of New Orleans on August 29, 2005. The winds in downtown New Orleans were in the Category 3 range with many huge gusts and tidal surges. (Category 3 has winds from 197 – 210 kilometers per hour and tidal surges of 4 meters) Hurricane force winds were experienced throughout the city.

The storm surge extended over 10 km inland and was estimated to be 4 5 meters high.

In the City of New Orleans, the storm surge caused more than 50 breaks in levees built to keep the water out of the city. This was called the worst engineering disaster in the history of the United States.

By August 31, 2005, 80% of New Orleans was flooded, with some parts under 5 meters (15 feet) of water. The famous French Quarter escaped the worst flooding experienced in other areas of the City.

90% of the residents of southeast Louisiana were evacuated in the most successful evacuation of a major city area in US history. Despite this, many stayed in the city (mainly the elderly and poor). The Louisiana Superdome was used to shelter those people who remained in the city.

Many who tried to stay in their homes had to swim for their lives, walk through deep water, while some were trapped on the roofs of their houses.

38-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Thousands of people died in and around New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

<<<

30,000 victims of Hurricane Katrina took shelter from the storm in the Superdome.

<<<

New Orleans under water in August 2005.

39-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

North America

Vancouver

Montreal RI 2010

New Orleans R! 2011

Gulf of Mexico

40-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Disaster in the Gulf of México New Orleans -- April 20 -- 2010

Once again, there was a disaster in the Gulf of Mexico – just off the coast of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is said to be one of the largest oil spills in World History.

On April 20th, 2010 the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig exploded and burned. The explosion killed 11 platform workers and injured 17 others working on the oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico.

The explosion also destroyed the oil rig, and allowed over 5 million barrels of crude oil to flow into the Gulf of Mexico during the crisis.

This oil spill caused extensive water pollution in the Gulf and along the shores near New Orleans – and thousands of kilometers of shoreline to the East and West.

The leaking oil was stopped on July 15 th, 2010.

41-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

The Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill – as seen from Space

New Orleans Florida 2010

Mexico

Oil spill area

Gulf of Mexico Destroyed Oil well

The Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

Montreal RI 2010 Mexico New Orleans RI 2011 Mexico Gulf of Mexico

42-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

The oil spill caused extensive damage to marine and wildlife areas as well as the Gulf of Mexico’s famous fishing and tourist areas.

Scientists have also reported that huge amounts of dissolved oil are still in the Gulf of Mexico. This oil is not visible – it is below the surface. Crews have been working to protect hundreds of miles of beaches, wetlands and estuaries – important to fishing and tourism – along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico. They are using skimmer ships, floating containment booms, anchored barriers, and sandfilled barricades along shorelines. <<<

Floating booms are used to contain the oil on the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, keeping it away from the beaches and shores.

<<<

A skimmer ship works near New Orleans – it takes in oil covered water – pumps clean water out.

43-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

<<<

Cleaning oil from the Gulf of Mexico shore near New Orleans – 2010.

<<< Oil spill covers the marsh lands where fish and wildlife grow.

44-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

There are over 4,000 oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico.

New Orleans, Louisiana Mexico

This shows 6 types of oil rigs.

Drilling for oil under the gulf.

<<< the oil rig in the Gulf BEFORE AFTER the explosion

>>>

45-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

North America

Vancouver

Montreal RI 2010

New Orleans R! 2011

Gulf of Mexico

46-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

The French Quarter The French Quarter in New Orleans is also known as Vieux Carré. It is the oldest and the most famous neighborhood in the city of New Orleans. When New Orleans (La Nouvelle Orléans in French) was founded in 1718, the city was originally centered on the French Quarter.

It is still known as the French Quarter today, or simply "The Quarter."

The district as a whole is an American National Historic Landmark, and contains numerous individual historic buildings.

The French Quarter was only damaged a little by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 – not as badly when compared to other areas of the city and the region.

Bourbon 47-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Street

48-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

Canal Street

49-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

The New Orleans River Walk

A Mississippi River Steamboat

50-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

New Orleans is called THE BIG EASY by some. No one really knows how this nickname began … but here are some ideas: One idea about the term The Big Easy has to do with the rich musical heritage of New Orleans.

Another legend suggests that the earliest use of name The Big Easy had to do with the fact that there were so many ways for a good musician to make a living in New Orleans. The Big Easy might have been used to describe how easy it was for a struggling musician to find work and study music at the same time.

A third possible origin for the nickname of The Big Easy is connected to the relaxed, easy attitude toward drinking alcohol that was found in New Orleans, even during the days of Prohibition – a time when alcoholic drinks were not allowed in bars or restaurants.

People claim that anyone who wanted to enjoy a drink or two could easily find something to his or her liking among the many nightspots of New Orleans. Thus, The Big Easy could have referred to the great ease of enjoying an evening with a drink!

Finally some think that the low cost of living in New Orleans started the nickname – The Big Easy. Many people were able to find cheap housing and plenty of fresh food and drink.

51-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand

The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North – Rotary International Convention 2011

52-52 Rotary International – 2011 Convention – New Orleans Travel Guide Presented by the International Relations Section – The Rotary Club of Chiang Mai North, Thailand