Most people believe that all of the current land which comprises Louisiana was originally included in the Louisiana Purchase. Actually, current portions of eastern and western Louisiana were only added to the state after the purchase.
The land that lies above Lake Pontchartrain, and between the Mississippi and Pearl Rivers, is often referred to as the "Florida Parishes," because it was part of Florida before it ever became part of Louisiana.
The Americans, French, British, Spanish, and revolutionary groups all claimed the land, and fought battles over its fate.
