The Red River curves through Shreveport, with the city of 187,000 spreading across both banks in northwestern Louisiana. Elevation sits at roughly 170 feet on the coastal plain, where the river descends from higher ground to the north. Humid subtropical climate creates hot, humid conditions: winters average around 50°F with occasional freezing, while summers consistently reach the mid-90s with oppressive humidity. Pine and hardwood forests once covered the entire region, with remnants visible in undeveloped areas. Cross Lake, a reservoir on the Red River, provides recreation space on the city's western edge.
