Baton Rouge, Louisiana

==Geography==
[[File:Aerial of Baton Rouge, LA from ISS 2011.jpg|thumb|220x220px|Baton Rouge as viewed from the [[International Space Station]] in May 2011, looking west|alt=]]
The city of Baton Rouge lies on the banks of the Mississippi River in southeastern Louisiana's [[Florida Parishes]] region.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web |date=February 12, 2011 |title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html |access-date=April 23, 2011 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The city is about {{Convert|79|mi|km|abbr=}} from [[New Orleans]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Distance between Baton Rouge, LA and New Orleans, LA|url=https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-baton-rouge-la-to-new-orleans-la|access-date=2020-07-31|website=www.distance-cities.com}}</ref> {{Convert|126|mi|km|abbr=}} from [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Distance between Baton Rouge, LA and Alexandria, LA|url=https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-baton-rouge-la-to-alexandria-la|access-date=2020-07-31|website=www.distance-cities.com}}</ref> {{convert|56|mi}} from [[Lafayette, Louisiana|Lafayette]] and {{Convert|250|mi|km|abbr=}} from [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distance between Baton Rouge, LA and Shreveport, LA |url=https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-baton-rouge-la-to-shreveport-la |access-date=2020-07-31 |website=Distance Cities}}</ref> It is also {{Convert|173|mi|km|abbr=}} from [[Jackson, Mississippi|Jackson]], [[Mississippi]] and {{Convert|272|mi|km|abbr=}} from [[Houston]], [[Texas]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distance between Baton Rouge, LA and Jackson, MS |url=https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-baton-rouge-la-to-jackson-ms |access-date=2020-07-31 |website=Distance Cities}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Distance between Baton Rouge, LA and Houston, TX |url=https://www.distance-cities.com/distance-baton-rouge-la-to-houston-tx |access-date=2020-07-31 |website=Distance Cities}}</ref> Baton Rouge lies on a low elevation of 56 to a little over 62 feet above [[sea level]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Climate Baton Rouge – Louisiana and Weather averages Baton Rouge |url=https://usclimatedata.com/climate/baton-rouge/louisiana/united-states/usla0033 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321182727/https://usclimatedata.com/climate/baton-rouge/louisiana/united-states/usla0033 |archive-date=March 21, 2019 |access-date=2019-03-21 |website=U.S. Climate Data}}</ref>

Baton Rouge is the [[Capital city|capital]] of Louisiana and the [[parish seat]] of [[East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana|East Baton Rouge Parish]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has an area of {{convert|79.15|sqmi|1}}, of which {{convert|76.95|sqmi|1}} are land and {{convert|2.2|sqmi|1}} (2.81%) are covered by water.<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Baton Rouge city, Louisiana |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/batonrougecitylouisiana/PST045219 |access-date=2021-07-27 |website=United States Census Bureau |language=en}}</ref> The city is on the first set of bluffs north of the [[Mississippi River Delta]]'s coastal plains. Because of its prominent location along the river and on the bluffs, which prevents flooding, the French built a fort in the city in 1719.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://geography.howstuffworks.com/united-states/geography-of-baton-rouge.htm |title= Geography of Baton Rouge |publisher= How Stuff Works |access-date= June 26, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140222003901/http://geography.howstuffworks.com/united-states/geography-of-baton-rouge.htm |archive-date= February 22, 2014 |url-status= live }}</ref> Baton Rouge is the third-southernmost capital city in the continental United States, after [[Austin, Texas]], and [[Tallahassee, Florida]]. It is the cultural and economic center of the [[Baton Rouge metropolitan area|Greater Baton Rouge]] metropolitan area.

=== Climate ===
[[File:Baton Rouge Flood August 2016 20160815-OC-DOD-0010.jpg|thumb|Baton Rouge, 2016 Louisiana flood]]
Baton Rouge has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfa''), with mild winters, hot and humid summers, moderate to heavy rainfall, and the possibility of damaging winds and tornadoes yearlong. The area's average precipitation is 61.94 inches (141.1&nbsp;cm) of rain and 0.1 inches (0.25&nbsp;cm) of snow annually. With ample precipitation, Baton Rouge is fifth on the list of wettest cities in the United States. Snow in the Baton Rouge area is usually rare, although it snowed in three consecutive years at the first decade of the 21st century: December 11, 2008, December 4, 2009, and February 12, 2010; in 2017, Baton Rouge received snow again.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fradella |first=Zack |title=This Date in History: 2017 Snow Day |url=https://www.wafb.com/2019/12/08/this-date-history-snow-day/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=WAFB |date=December 8, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The yearly average temperature for Baton Rouge is {{convert|68.4|°F}} while the average temperature for January is {{convert|51.7|°F}} and July is {{convert|83.0|°F}}.<ref name= NOAA/> The area is usually free from extremes in temperature, with some cold winter fronts, but those are usually brief.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.answers.com/topic/baton-rouge-geography-and-climate |title= Baton Rouge: Geography and Climate |publisher= Answers |access-date= June 26, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131231191113/http://www.answers.com/topic/baton-rouge-geography-and-climate |archive-date= December 31, 2013 |url-status= live }}</ref>

Baton Rouge's proximity to the [[Gulf of Mexico]] exposes the city and metropolitan area to hurricanes. On September 1, 2008, [[Hurricane Gustav]] struck the city and became the worst hurricane ever to hit the Baton Rouge area.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Deaton|first=Diane|title=The Fifth Season: Ten year anniversary of Hurricane Gustav|url=https://www.wafb.com/story/38309470/the-fifth-season-ten-year-anniversary-of-hurricane-gustav|access-date=2021-07-29|website=WAFB|date=May 30, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Winds topped {{convert|100|mph}}, knocking down trees and powerlines and making roads impassable.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Department of Homeland Security. Federal Emergency Management Agency. Public Affairs Division. 3/1/2003-|url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5699644|title=[Hurricane Gustav] Baton Rouge, LA, September 1, 2008 -- Hurricane Gustav hit the city of Baton Rouge with 100 mph plus winds and took the roof off of the Alpha Kappa Alpha alumni-house in the downtown area. Barry Bahler/FEMA|date=2008-09-01|series=Series: Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials, 1956 - 2008}}</ref> The roofs of many buildings suffered tree damage, especially in the Highland Road, Garden District, and Goodwood areas. The city was shut down for five days and a curfew was put in effect. Rooftop shingles were ripped off, signs blew down, and minor structural damage occurred.{{Weather box
| location = Baton Rouge, Louisiana ([[Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport|Metropolitan Airport]]), 1991–2020 normals,{{NoteTag|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.}} extremes 1892–present
| single line = yes
| Jan record high F = 85
| Feb record high F = 88
| Mar record high F = 93
| Apr record high F = 96
| May record high F = 101
| Jun record high F = 103
| Jul record high F = 103
| Aug record high F = 110
| Sep record high F = 104
| Oct record high F = 98
| Nov record high F = 89
| Dec record high F = 88
| year record high F = 110
| Jan avg record high F = 77.5
| Feb avg record high F = 80.3
| Mar avg record high F = 84.3
| Apr avg record high F = 87.7
| May avg record high F = 92.2
| Jun avg record high F = 95.5
| Jul avg record high F = 96.7
| Aug avg record high F = 97.5
| Sep avg record high F = 95.3
| Oct avg record high F = 90.7
| Nov avg record high F = 83.9
| Dec avg record high F = 80.0
| year avg record high F = 98.4
| Jan high F = 62.3
| Feb high F = 66.6
| Mar high F = 73.0
| Apr high F = 79.1
| May high F = 85.8
| Jun high F = 90.5
| Jul high F = 91.9
| Aug high F = 92.2
| Sep high F = 88.7
| Oct high F = 80.9
| Nov high F = 71.0
| Dec high F = 64.3
| year high F = 78.9
| Jan mean F = 52.0
| Feb mean F = 55.9
| Mar mean F = 62.0
| Apr mean F = 68.0
| May mean F = 75.5
| Jun mean F = 81.0
| Jul mean F = 82.9
| Aug mean F = 82.8
| Sep mean F = 78.8
| Oct mean F = 69.5
| Nov mean F = 59.4
| Dec mean F = 53.8
| year mean F = 68.5
| Jan low F = 41.6
| Feb low F = 45.3
| Mar low F = 51.0
| Apr low F = 56.9
| May low F = 65.1
| Jun low F = 71.5
| Jul low F = 73.8
| Aug low F = 73.3
| Sep low F = 68.9
| Oct low F = 58.1
| Nov low F = 47.8
| Dec low F = 43.3
| year low F = 58.0
| Jan avg record low F = 24.3
| Feb avg record low F = 29.2
| Mar avg record low F = 32.7
| Apr avg record low F = 40.4
| May avg record low F = 51.3
| Jun avg record low F = 63.6
| Jul avg record low F = 69.0
| Aug avg record low F = 67.4
| Sep avg record low F = 56.4
| Oct avg record low F = 40.9
| Nov avg record low F = 30.9
| Dec avg record low F = 27.3
| year avg record low F = 22.6
| Jan record low F = 9
| Feb record low F = 2
| Mar record low F = 20
| Apr record low F = 31
| May record low F = 40
| Jun record low F = 53
| Jul record low F = 58
| Aug record low F = 58
| Sep record low F = 43
| Oct record low F = 30
| Nov record low F = 21
| Dec record low F = 8
| year record low F = 2
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 6.36
| Feb precipitation inch = 4.42
| Mar precipitation inch = 4.46
| Apr precipitation inch = 5.08
| May precipitation inch = 5.23
| Jun precipitation inch = 6.45
| Jul precipitation inch = 5.09
| Aug precipitation inch = 6.37
| Sep precipitation inch = 4.42
| Oct precipitation inch = 4.84
| Nov precipitation inch = 3.90
| Dec precipitation inch = 5.32
| year precipitation inch = 61.94
| Jan snow inch = 0.0
| Feb snow inch = 0.0
| Mar snow inch = 0.0
| Apr snow inch = 0.0
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.0
| Nov snow inch = 0.0
| Dec snow inch = 0.2
| year snow inch = 0.2
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 9.9
| Feb precipitation days = 8.9
| Mar precipitation days = 8.9
| Apr precipitation days = 8.0
| May precipitation days = 8.2
| Jun precipitation days = 11.6
| Jul precipitation days = 13.2
| Aug precipitation days = 11.8
| Sep precipitation days = 8.6
| Oct precipitation days = 7.3
| Nov precipitation days = 8.0
| Dec precipitation days = 9.7
| year precipitation days = 114.1
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 0.0
| Feb snow days = 0.0
| Mar snow days = 0.0
| Apr snow days = 0.0
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.0
| Nov snow days = 0.0
| Dec snow days = 0.1
| year snow days = 0.1
| Jan humidity = 74.1
| Feb humidity = 70.9
| Mar humidity = 70.0
| Apr humidity = 70.6
| May humidity = 72.3
| Jun humidity = 74.4
| Jul humidity = 77.2
| Aug humidity = 77.7
| Sep humidity = 76.9
| Oct humidity = 72.8
| Nov humidity = 74.6
| Dec humidity = 74.7
| year humidity = 73.8
| source 1 = [[NOAA]] (relative humidity 1961–1990)<ref name= NOAA >
{{cite web
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=lix
| title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 27, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00013970&format=pdf
| title = Station: Baton Rouge Ryan AP, LA
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = August 27, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NOAAhumidity>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP1/00160549.TXT
| title = WMO Climate Normals for Baton Rouge/WSO AP, LA 1961–1990
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = August 27, 2021}}</ref>
| source = 
| collapsed = Y
}}