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Physical Map of Louisiana - Geographical Features of Louisiana

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 03, 2026 | 15:40 ET

Physical Map of Louisiana showing the geographical features of the state such as rivers, lakes, mountain peaks, elevations, plateaus, plains, topography, water bodies and many other Louisiana physical features.

Louisiana Physical Map

Physical Features of Louisiana

Louisiana is defined by its low-lying coastal plains, extensive wetlands, and river-dominated landscape. Much of the state is shaped by the Mississippi River, which creates fertile alluvial plains and a vast delta in the southeast. Swamps, bayous, and marshes cover large areas, especially near the Gulf of Mexico coastline. The northern part of the state features slightly higher ground with rolling hills and forests, but overall Louisiana remains one of the flattest states, with water playing a central role in its geography.

Major Landforms in Louisiana

LandformTypeRegionDescription
Mississippi Alluvial PlainPlainEastFertile river floodplain
Mississippi DeltaDeltaSoutheastRiver formed delta region
Coastal MarshesWetlandSouthExtensive tidal marshlands
Atchafalaya BasinBasinSouth-centralLargest swamp in U.S.
Red River ValleyValleyNorthwestRiver floodplain region
Piney HillsHillsNorthRolling forested terrain
Florida Parishes HillsHillsEastGently rolling uplands
Chenier PlainCoastalSouthwestRaised coastal ridges
BayousWetlandSouthSlow moving waterways
Sabine UplandsUplandWestHigher forested land

Major Rivers and Water Bodies in Louisiana

NameTypeRegionNotable Feature
Mississippi RiverRiverEastMajor U.S. river system
Red RiverRiverNorthwestMajor tributary
Atchafalaya RiverRiverSouthDistributary of Mississippi
Ouachita RiverRiverNorthFlows into Red River
Sabine RiverRiverWestForms Texas border
Lake PontchartrainLakeSoutheastLarge brackish lake
Calcasieu LakeLakeSouthwestEstuarine water body
Toledo Bend ReservoirLakeWestLargest reservoir in state
Gulf of MexicoOceanSouthCoastal boundary
Sabine LakeLakeWestBordering estuary

Elevation and Terrain in Louisiana

Louisiana has very little elevation change, with its highest point located in the northern hills and its lowest areas at or below sea level near the coast. The terrain is mostly flat, consisting of plains, wetlands, and river floodplains.

FeatureElevation / Detail
Highest PointDriskill Mountain – 535 ft
Lowest PointNew Orleans area – below sea level
Average Elevation100 ft
Terrain TypeFlat plains and wetlands

Louisiana Physical Map Facts

FeatureDetail
StateLouisiana
Total Area52,378 sq mi
Land Area43,562 sq mi
Water Area8,816 sq mi
Highest PointDriskill Mountain
Lowest PointBelow sea level areas
Longest RiverMississippi River
Largest LakeLake Pontchartrain
Major LandformsDelta, Coastal Plain
Main Water BodiesMississippi River, Gulf of Mexico
Terrain TypeLow and water dominated
CoastlineGulf of Mexico coastline