New Orleans is not only a city built of timber and brick, but a state of mind.

The city's unique character stems from the varied contributions of the peoples that have made up its population during its colorful and often turbulent past. Hurricanes, floods and epidemics have taken their toll, but New Orleans has lived on to tell the tale.

In many ways it continues to be as it was a century ago and is a living example of the French expression "The more things change, the more they are the same".

Changes come, as come they must, but unlike other American cities, New Orleans continues to be itself, a graceful, tolerant and pleasure-loving city.