Avery Island - Definition and Overview

Avery Island is an island off the coast of Louisiana, USA about 140 miles west of New Orleans. It is famous for being the place where Tabasco hot sauce is manufactured. At its highest point, the island is only 152 feet above sea level.

The island was created by the upwelling of ancient evaporite (salt) deposits that exist beneath the Mississippi delta region. These upwellings are known as salt domes. Avery island is one of five salt dome islands that rise above the flat Louisiana Gulf coast.