Territory of Orleans
territory, North America
Quick Summary
The Territory of Orleans was a U.S. territory established in 1804 from the land acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. It encompassed essentially the present-day boundaries of Louisiana. In 1812, the Territory of Orleans was admitted to the Union as the 18th state, Louisiana. The territory's capital was New Orleans, a significant port city founded by the French in 1718 and later ceded to Spain before becoming part of the United States. The region was vital for trade, with goods flowing down the Mississippi River to New Orleans.123
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