About Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette, Louisiana is the economic, cultural and entertainment center of Acadiana - the eight-parish (county) region includes Lafayette, Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion parishes. Known for its unique culture and mixture of tradition and progress, Lafayette also has the distinction of historically being the fastest growing city in the state of Louisiana.
Lafayette, LA has a rich French heritage, as well as Spanish, American Indian and African influences, so the city enjoys a colorful cultural mix.
Lafayette is a major player in the worldwide oil and natural gas industry, as well as having thriving manufacturing, agriculture, health care, restaurant, retail, tourism and real estate industries.
The people of Acadiana traditionally work hard, but also appreciate and place an emphasis on the distinct culture of the region. To borrow a French phrase, the residents of Lafayette have a certain “joie de vivre”, or love of life. The calendar is full of spring and fall festivals that feature Cajun and Zydeco music, renowned artists, the distinct foods and flavors of this region and much more.
Lafayette is also home to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the only Doctoral II institution in the state. The University brings a rich mixture of researchers and scholars to the area, which keeps Lafayette on the forefront of academic and economic research and developments. The university’s newest jewel is LITE (Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise) – a groundbreaking $20 million facility in University Research Park that houses state-of-the-art immersive visualization including the world’s largest 3D theater and one of the fastest supercomputers in the world.
