1719–1770: The Gulf Coast region, primarily under French control during this era, received the majority of its enslaved population from the Senegambia region.

1719–1770: The Gulf Coast region, primarily under French control during this era, received the majority of its enslaved population from the Senegambia region. Unlike the British colonies, the French maritime system dominated the traffic, with vessels from ports like Nantes and Le Havre carrying the bulk of the captives. The Bight of Benin and West Central Africa served as secondary sources, contributing to the cultural and linguistic diversity of the early Louisiana and Mississippi territories. This distinct French influence shaped a demographic and social landscape that differed significantly from the Atlantic seaboard colonies.