Geography of Lafayette
Lafayette, Louisiana, the seat of Lafayette Parish. The city is 47 miles (76 km) southwest of Baton Rouge. Lafayette is a center of oil production in the Gulf Coast region, and the oil industry is its largest employer. Natural gas, sulfur, and salt deposits are nearby. The University of Southwestern Louisiana is here.
Lafayette was established in the 1770's by French settlers exiled from Acadia (Nova Scotia). French is still spoken in the city. According to legend, the heroine of Longfellow's poem Evangelinewas buried here. Lafayette was called Vermilionville until 1884. It was incorporated in 1914. The city has the mayor-council form of government.
Population: 110,257.