Europe's Latitude vs. New Orleans: Southern Europe Is Closer to the Equator

No. Some parts of Europe are closer to the equator than New Orleans (29°57′N). For example, the island of Gavdos, Greece (34°59′N) is Europe's southernmost point and lies farther south than New Orleans. Much of southern Spain, Sicily, Crete, and Cyprus also sit at lower latitudes than New Orleans.