Alexandria Louisiana
The present site of Alexandria was a natural one for settlement due to its location on the Red River in Central Louisiana. It lies on a level plain of Longleaf Pine forests at 55 feet above sea level, in almost the exact geographic center of Louisiana.
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The area was originally home to a community supporting activities of the adjacent Spanish outpost of Post du Rapides. Ultimately, Alexandria would became the parish seat of Rapides Parish.
Fulton laid out the plan for Alexandria in 1805, and the settlement grew rapidly. Because of its strategic geographic location, which still holds true today, it became a center of transportation, trading and agriculture.
Alexandria is located in the heart of Central Louisiana (CenLA) and is a vibrant commercial, retail, educational and healthcare center. It is the parish seat of Rapides Parish, and located across the Red River from Pineville. The city offers a variety of arts and cultural events and venues, such as the Alexandria Museum of Art, the Louisiana History Museum, and the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center.
Residents and tourists alike enjoy area lakes, outdoor recreation, golf, an acclaimed zoo, and historic sites. The city also enjoys annual events such as Mardi Gras and the Red River Festival. Returning in 2023 were the Louisiana Dragon Boat Races held at Lake Buhlow.
WinterFETE is held in December in downtown Alexandria. An assortment of events are typically scheduled, including the Alexandria Christmas Parade, ice skating, Santa's Village, fireworks, food vendors, gumbo cook-off, live music and much more. Alexandria, as a popular convention destination, has an active lodging industry providing hotel accommodations for many out-of-town visitors.
The Alexandria Randolph Riverfront Center in downtown Alexandria on the Red River offers all the amenities of big city convention centers combined with the convenience of being centrally located within Louisiana.
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Location
Alexandria lies on a level plain of Longleaf Pine forests at 55 feet above sea level, in almost the exact geographic center of Louisiana. It is the parish seat of Rapides Parish.
The Red River has played key roles in Alexandria and neighboring Pineville through the decades, and centuries, through peaceful times and through the Civil War, through low stages of the river, and in floods.
A series of locks and dam built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have made the Red River navigable through Alexandria.
Population
 The Historic Hotel Bentley in Alexandria |
The population of the City of Alexandria in 2020 was 45,275, with neighboring Pineville across the Red River having 14,384 residents.
The Alexandria Metropolitan Area, encompassing all of Rapides and Grant parishes, has a population of 164,420. Rapides Parish has a total population of 130,023 people according to the 2020 census.
Government
Alexandria has a mayoral-council system of government, with the Mayor serving as the executive branch of the local government.
The Alexandria City Council serves as the legislative branch. The five districts of the city are represented on the Council, and two other council members are elected to serve as at-large representatives of the city.
The Rapides Parish Police Jury is the governing authority for the Parish which operates under the police jury system as provided by the general laws of the State of Louisiana. The Police Jury is both a legislative and administrative body. Its legislative functions include enacting ordinance and resolutions, establishing programs and setting policy.
Alexandria is located in the Fifth Congressional District of Louisiana.
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Alexandria International Airport
Alexandria International Airport (AEX) is about 4 miles from downtown Alexandria. Commercial carriers include American Eagle and Delta Airlines.
Rental cars are available from Avis, National, and Budget.
In October of 2011, the terminal was named the James L. Meyer Commercial Terminal in honor of the man who was a major driving force in the development, and success, of England Airpark.
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For more information on Alexandria
Visit our new website about the city ... www.Alexandria-Louisiana.com
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More Alexandria Area ResourcesAlexandria Pineville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Alexandria at LouisianaTravel.com |
| Popular Travel Destinations and Attractions in North & Central Louisiana | ||
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