The city's great holiday is the Mardi Gras carnival, which is celebrated just before Lent. The keys of the city are then given over to the King of the Carnival, and all day long high revelry holds sway. Brilliant floats, representing scenes of wonderful quaintness and loveliness, parade through flower-garlanded avenues thronged with people who have come from every quarter of the globe. Carried away by the spirit of the fête, these guests join with the citizens in turning New Orleans for the time into a fairy city of wonder and delight. =NEW ORLEANS= FACTS TO REMEMBER Population (1910), nearly 350,000 (339,075). Fifteenth city in rank, according to population. The natural port of export and exchange for the Mississippi Valley. The second largest export port in the United States. The world's greatest export market for cotton. The center of a great sugar industry. A great import port for tropical fruit and coffee. Splendid harbor and shipping facilities along the river. Excellent communications by water and rail with other great American cities. Protected by great levees from overflow of the Mississippi River. Holds annually a great Mardi Gras carnival. QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW AND STUDY 1. Tell briefly the story of the settlement of New Orleans. 2. Can you tell why it was important for the United States to own New Orleans? 3. Describe the city's part in two wars. What wars were they? 4. What great natural disadvantages were overcome in improving the city of New Orleans, and how was it done? 5. State some facts about the principal business street of the city. What unusual arrangement of street cars is found in New Orleans? 6. Contrast the French Quarter of the past with the same section as it is to-day. 7. What is interesting about Jackson Square? 8. Tell what you can of the river front. 9. What are the chief imports and exports of New Orleans? 10. Give a brief account of the preparation of cotton, from the field to its being loaded for shipment to foreign lands. 11. Do you know why so much cotton is sent to foreign countries? 12. Tell how sugar is made from the sugar cane. Do you know from what else we get sugar? 13. Tell what you can of the Mardi Gras carnival. 14. Find by reference to a map of the United States the great cities which may be reached by river steamers from New Orleans. 15. Why was New Orleans called the Crescent City? WASHINGTON THE CAPITAL CITY Washington, the capital city of our nation, is the center of interest for the whole country. Every citizen of the United States thinks of the city of Washington as a place in which he has a personal pride.