[Heyworth]

New York outpaced its rivals through good fortune and determination. It was blessed by geography: A large, protected port that remained free of ice throughout most of the year, its closeness to the open sea, and a river that provided it with easy access to a vast hinterland gave it a privileged start.

The only one of these that doesn't apply to New Orleans is that it doesn't remain free of ice throughout most of the year. It stays that way ALL year.

As for the rest, it simply illustrates that New Yorkers were better capitalists. Ironic from a bunch of people who keep citing Mises. And yet, despite all that, the south had a higher per capita income (by a good chunk) and most of the richest people in the country.

[Gianni]

The only one of these that doesn't apply to New Orleans...

That, and the fact that it's twice as far away.