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Place Name
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Shreveport
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Pronunciation
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SHREEV-port
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Place Status (Type)
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city
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Capital Of
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Caddo parish
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Population
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198,525 (1990)
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Location
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Caddo parish, Louisiana (LA), United States, North America
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Latitude
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32°28'N
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Longitude
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93°48'W
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Shreveport
(SHREEV-port), city (1990 pop. 198,525), 
Caddo parish, NW La., 180 mi/290 km NW of
Baton Rouge and 175 mi/282 km ESE of Dallas,
Texas, on the Red R. near the Texas and Ark. state lines; 32°28'N
93°48'W. The 3d-largest city in the state, it is a regional oil and
natural gas center, with important metal, cotton, and lumber
manufactures. Mfg. (plastic injections, tools, telephones and equip.,
concrete and plastic prods., pumps, pipe prods., airfoil fans,
fabricated steel plate, aluminum castings, gas compressors, vehicle
assembly plant, pharmaceuticals, bldg. materials, pasta), printing and
publishing. Downtown Airport N of downtown and Shreveport Regional
Airport 5 mi/8 km SW of downtown. The city was
founded after the Red R. was laboriously cleared (1833-1836) of logs
and driftwood, using specially designed snag boats invented by Henry
Shreve, which rendered it navigable. The city became the Confederate
capital of La. in 1863. The discovery of oil in 1906 provided the
greatest impetus for Shreveport's growth. It is the seat of Centenary
Col., Southern Univ. at Shreveport, La. State Univ. in Shreveport, the
La. State Univ. School of Medicine in Shreveport, and the state
fairgrounds. Annual events include the La. State Fair and State Exhibit
Mus. Of interest are the ruins of Confederate Fort Humbug, which was
defended with fake cannons; Pioneer Heritage Center; Meadow Mus. of
Indochinese Art; Norton Art Gallery. Barksdale Air Force Base, hq. of
the 2d U.S. Air Force and a strategic command installation, is just
across the river, to E in Bossier City (twin city to Shreveport). Cross
L., in NW part of city, has parks and recreational facilities. Inc.
1839. Formerly called Shreve Town and Shreve's Landing.
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