2020 Map of Curlew Islands

About this map

Chandeleur Sound meets the open Gulf of Mexico in this coastal survey of the far eastern reaches of the Mississippi River delta. The environment is dominated by the Curlew Islands, a chain of barrier features positioned along the edge of the sound. This map highlights the fluid geography of the Louisiana coast, where land and water boundaries are constantly redefined by the sea. The political border between St. Bernard Parish and Plaquemines Parish is depicted cutting across the open water and island chain, providing a precise record of parish jurisdictions in an area where physical landmarks are few and far between. The lack of terrestrial development underscores the maritime character of this region, focusing entirely on the navigation and natural forms of the barrier islands.