Central Louisiana

Central Louisiana (Cenla), also known as the Crossroads region, is the part of Louisiana that includes the following parishes: Allen Parish, Beauregard Parish, Catahoula Parish, Concordia Parish, Grant Parish, La Salle Parish, Natchitoches Parish, Rapides Parish, Sabine Parish and Vernon Parish.

The five largest communities in the region as of the 2000 Census were Alexandria (46,342), Natchitoches (17,865), Pineville (13,829), Fort Polk South CDP (11,000), and DeRidder (9,808).

Central Louisiana is a land of physical and cultural contrasts. Extensive prairies, piney hill country, minor swamplands and deciduous forests make up its geography. It also has clear streams with sandy bottoms and large rivers that carry waterborne freight.

Metro/Micropolitan areas

There is one Combined Statistical Area, one Metropolitan Statistical Area, and four Micropolitan Statistical Areas that include Central Louisiana parishes.

*Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical Area (Rapides and Grant parishes)
*Fort Polk South-DeRidder Combined Statistical Area
**Fort Polk South Micropolitan Statistical Area (Vernon Parish)
**DeRidder Micropolitan Statistical Area (Beauregard Parish)
*Natchez, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area (Concordia Parish and Adams County, MS)
*Natchitoches Micropolitan Statistical Area (Natchitoches Parish)

ee also

*Intrastate regions

External links

* [http://www.cenlachamber.org/crossroads.html Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.louisiana-arts.org/site/Templates/template4.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=62 Arts Council of Central Louisiana]