A City Below Sea Level:
The French Quarter is the oldest part of the city, and after almost 300 years it is still a vibrant area. Start your tour of the Jackson Square and its surrounds at Artillery Park, located on Decatur Street in front of Jackson Square. From here you can see the Mississippi River behind you and Jackson Square in front of you. Notice that you are actually standing on a levee. Because New Orleans is below sea level, the entire city is surrounded by levees and flood walls. We have no natural drainage so every drop of rain that falls must be pumped over the levees.
