In 1682 a French explorer  Rene-Robert is the frist European to reach the mouth of the great Mississippi ne climad it.In 1519 spanish explore alonso alrarez de pineda had discoverd the mouth of a large river.After the frenaindin warthe bits took the land.in 1812 became eignthteenth state join the union.louisiana was explored by exropeans in the early sixteen century.