n April 9, 1682, at the junction of the bird-foot delta near the Gulf of Mexico, La Salle claimed the river and its drainage basin for King Louis XIV, hence the name “Louisiana.” In addition, he named the river Colbert in recognition of his patron and French finance minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert.
On April 9, 1682, at the junction of the bird-foot delta near the Gulf of Mexico, La Salle claimed the river and its drainage basin for King Louis XIV, hence the name “Louisiana.” In addition, he named the river Colbert in recognition of his patron and French finance minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert.