In English, it's "Red Stick." However, most people know it by its French name, Baton Rouge. The capital and second-largest city in Louisiana is the political hub of the state. Baton Rouge came to prominence because of its vital location on the Istrouma Bluff on the Mississippi River. With a levee system, Baton Rouge was protected from the seasonal flooding that affects much of the rest of the river. Over the course of its history, it has been ruled by seven different governments, including the French, British, Spanish, and U.S. This gave Baton Rouge a culturally diverse population in addition to its position as an economic hub in the region. Baton Rouge's economic strength is well-recognized. It was recognized as one of the "Top 10 Places for Young Adults" in 2010 by Portfolio Magazine, one of the top 20 cities for economic strength in North America by Brookings, and one of the top ten places to start a new business in 2009 by CNN. Baton Rouge has a consistently warm to hot climate, with humidity regularly above 70%.
In the summer, average highs will reach above 90 degrees, while average lows in the summer will rarely drop below 40 degrees. Historically, the record lowest temperature doesn't even drop below zero. Because it is right on the Gulf of Mexico, Baton Rouge receives an average of five feet of annual precipitation over the course of 112 precipitation days.
Up until 1990, Baton Rouge's population grew steadily and consistently. The lowest growth rate between two decades was 7.5% at the end of the 1800s. Recently, the population has appeared to reach a stable position and the growth of the city has leveled off. With ExxonMobil's oil refinery, one of the ten largest in the country, Baton Rouge's primary economic industry is petrochemical production and manufacturing. The ExxonMobil refinery employs 4,213 people, though it is only the sixth-largest employer in the city. Several public institutions (like the city and state) and universities employ more people in Baton Rouge.
Baton Rouge has a thriving culture and entertainment scene. It hosts multiple annual Mardi Gras parades as part of its French heritage, and it also has hosted the Miss America Pageant for two years in a row. The visual and performing arts also have a strong presence in the city, through institutions like the Shaw Center for the Arts, the Louisiana Art and Science Museum, and the LSU Swine Palace.
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