Last updated: January 23, 2025
Place
Atchafalaya National Heritage Area
Caroline Byrne, Assistant Director at ANHA
Quick Facts
Location:
Louisiana
Significance:
The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area spans 14 parishes and preserves local cuisine, music, traditions, language and cultural landscapes.
Designation:
National Heritage Area
An American-Indian word, "Atchafalaya" (It sounds just like Jambalaya) means long river. Established in 2006, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area stretches across 14 parishes in south-central Louisiana. It is among the most culturally rich and ecologically varied regions in the United States, home to widely recognized Louisiana French culture (often referred to as ‘Cajun’ or ‘Creole’) as well as a diverse population of European, African, Caribbean and Native-American descent.The unique cultural traditions of this region have earned it the moniker ‘America’s Foreign Country.’
With a story around every bend in the river and music from every corner, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is an ever-changing, rich and mysterious landscape. It is filled with twisting bayous, rivers and America’s largest river swamp. There are fields of sugar cane and cotton, ancient live oaks and towering cypress. Alligators, raccoons, and even bears roam the lands while 270 species of birds take to the skies. From the waters come catfish, shrimp, oysters and the crawfish that make the Atchafalaya so well known.
This Heritage Area includes the following sites:
With a story around every bend in the river and music from every corner, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area is an ever-changing, rich and mysterious landscape. It is filled with twisting bayous, rivers and America’s largest river swamp. There are fields of sugar cane and cotton, ancient live oaks and towering cypress. Alligators, raccoons, and even bears roam the lands while 270 species of birds take to the skies. From the waters come catfish, shrimp, oysters and the crawfish that make the Atchafalaya so well known.
This Heritage Area includes the following sites:
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park - Acadian Cultural Center
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park - Prairie Acadian Cultural Center
- Jean Lafitte National Historical Park - Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center
- Water Heritage Trail
- Indian Bayou Wildlife Management
- Spring Bayou Wildlife management
- Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management
- Lake Fausse Pointe State Park
- Cypremort Pointe State Park