History of Monroe, Louisiana
Monroe is the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana|Ouachita Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. It is the principal city of and is included in the Monroe, Louisiana Metropolitan Statistical Area (pop. 171,188), which is included in the Monroe-Bastrop, Louisiana Combined Statistical Area. Monroe's Combined Statistical Area is 202,209. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 52,027, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana.
Monroe is the home of the University of Louisiana at Monroe (formerly known as University of Louisiana at Monroe|Northeast Lousiana University). It also houses the headquarters of CenturyTel, the eighth-largest telecommunications provider in the nation. Monroe is situated on the Ouachita River and continues to serve as the population center and distribution outlet for the surrounding farming community. Monroe will soon play host to a motor speedway in the year 2008.
Monroe and the neighboring town of West Monroe, Louisiana|West Monroe (pop. 13,250), which sits just across the Ouachita River, are often referred to as the twin cities|Twin Cities of northeast Louisiana.
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