Other major commodities are soybeans, cotton, and dairy products, and strawberries, corn, hay, pecans, and truck vegetables are produced in quantity. Pelts are also obtained from mink, nutria, coypus, opossums, otter, and raccoon. The state has great mineral wealth. The state rapidly industrialized in the 1960s and 70s and has giant oil refineries, petrochemical plants, foundries, and lumber and paper mills. Other industries produce foods, transportation equipment, and electronic equipment.
Baton Rouge is the capital and the second largest city.
Other major cities are Shreveport , Lake Charles , Kenner , and Lafayette . Louisiana is rich in tradition and legend. Along the rivers and bayous overhung with Spanish moss, some old mansions remain, recalling the elegance and splendor of antebellum days. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.