Territory of Orleans

The Territory of Orleans was an organized territory of the United States established in 1804, covering the land acquired through the Louisiana Purchase, primarily what is now Louisiana. It served as the administrative region before it became the state of Louisiana in 1812. The territory included diverse populations and was important for its strategic location along the Mississippi River, fostering settlement, agriculture, and trade. Its establishment marked the U.S. expansion westward and set the foundation for Louisiana's development as a state.