Baton Rouge, French: Bâton-Rouge (pronounced /ˈbætn ˈɹuːʒ/ in English, and Image:ltspkr.png/batɔ̃ ʀuʒ/ in French) is the capital and the largest city of Louisiana, a state of the United States of America. Historically, Baton Rouge has been the second largest city in Louisiana behind New Orleans, but as of mid-2005, the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Katrina have, at least temporarily, reduced the population of New Orleans such that Baton Rouge is currently the largest city in Louisiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 227,818 and as of 2004, the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimate puts the city at 224,097. The Greater Baton Rouge area as of 2000 had a population of 602,894, but has grown to over 750,000 since the 2000 census. It is the second largest metropolitan area in the state after Greater New Orleans. Baton Rouge is the parish seat of East Baton Rouge Parish. Baton Rouge is home to the main campus of Louisiana State University and to Southern University. Baton Rouge is also home to The Shaw Group, a Fortune 500 Company.

Baton Rouge also goes by its English translation, "Red Stick", "Beauregard Town" and its abbreviation (B.R.). Like other capital cities, its region is called the "Capital Area."