Monroe, Louisiana is a city with a deep-rooted history and culture. Located in Northeastern Louisiana, it is the seat of Ouachita Parish and the economic and cultural hub of the region. It is home to the Masur Museum of Art, the largest institution for the collection and exhibition of modern and contemporary art in Northeastern Louisiana. The city also has a long history dating back to the Spanish colonial period, and is named after James Monroe of Virginia, the fifth president of the United States. Monroe has a humid subtropical climate with an average annual rainfall of more than 51 inches (1.3 m).
The summer months are hot and humid, with maximum temperatures exceeding 90 degrees, an average of 91 days a year. The winter months are usually mild, with an average of 35 days of temperatures below zero or below freezing per year. Monroe Regional Airport serves the city and northeastern Louisiana, and is serviced by regional partners of American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The city is home to many cultural attractions, including the Ouachita River Art Gallery in West Monroe. This gallery is the largest and oldest artists' cooperative in Louisiana, and houses dozens of works by local artists.
There are also many other art galleries in the area, as well as symphonies, visual arts exhibitions, and museum exhibitions. Monroe is also home to many historical sites. The steamboat James Monroe is represented on a mural in the main branch of the Ouachita Parish Public Library. The city also has a number of monuments dedicated to its history, such as Fort Miro which was renamed to Monroe to commemorate the first arrival of the steamboat James Monroe in 1820. Monroe is also home to the 528th Engineer Battalion of the Louisiana Army National Guard. This unit is part of the 225th Engineer Brigade, which is based in Pineville, Louisiana, in Camp Beauregard.
The city is also served by freight traffic from Kansas City Southern, Union Pacific, BNSF and Norfolk Southern. Monroe offers something for everyone: from its rich history to its vibrant culture. Whether you're looking for art galleries or historical sites, there's something for everyone in this ancient archaeological wonder.
