Welcome to one of the most mysterious and dynamic landscapes in the world. Most of the land around you did not exist four centuries ago - and subtly changes shape constantly. There, water seems always within view. Check out Lake Palourde, north of Morgan City on Highway 70 to see what the entire Atchafalaya Swamp looked like before the levee system. Since construction of the levee system along the Mississippi River and the Atchafalaya Basin, the natural flow of water ceased and the ecosystem has been dramatcially altered. Massive amounts of silt continue to be deposited, changing the balance of marsh and land, and along with it the rich ecology of the area. In hurricane season, the marshes absorb storm surges and offer protection for New Orleans. The continuing loss of marshland is raising concern about the 'the big one' and its potential impact.

Cultural complexities parallel the ecological ones in the Coastal Zone. In addition to Cajuns and Creoles, two Native American groups - the Houma and the Chitimacha, along with more recent Vietnamese arrivals, make this area their home. Offerings from regional restaurants reflect these cultures.