The Central Business District is an area of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the equivilent of what many cities call their "downtown", although in New Orleans "downtown" or "down town" is often used to mean portions of the city in the direction of flow of the Mississippi River.

The Central Business District or CBD is bounded on one edge by the Mississippi, on the downriver edge by the French Quarter, on the back by Claiborne Avenue, and on the upriver edge by Howard Avenue, the lower limit of the "Lower Garden District" of Uptown New Orleans .

This part of town was first built up in the early 19th century after the Louisiana Purchase as many people from other parts of the United States moved into the city. It was historically called "The American Quarter".

While traditionally Canal Street was the dividing line between the French Quarter and the American Quarter, legally both sides of Canal Street are considered part of the Central Business District for zoning and regulation.

The portion of the CBD closer to the River is known as the Old Warehouse District, as it was heavily devoted to warehouses before shipping became containerized. Many of the old 19th century warehouses have been converted into hotel, restaurants, condominiums, and art galleries.

Notable structures in the "CBD" include the city's new and old city halls, the Louisiana Superdome, and the New Orleans Arena.

External links

• Wikitravel: New Orleans/Central Business District