California is the sixth largest economy before … France – Le Figaro

Figures from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, the State of California officially became the sixth largest economy with a GDP higher than that of France.

it’s official, California is now the sixth largest economy and snatched at the same time the place previously occupied by France. In any case reveals that the site Business Insider, which is based on figures from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) American. Referring to the latter, it is actually found that GDP (the value of production) in California was $ 2.46 trillion dollars in 2015 (about 2.183 trillion euros) against 2.422 trillion dollars for France (about 2.15 trillion euros). If we look at the figures from INSEE, France straightens the bar but remains slightly behind the state of the American West with a GDP of 2.181 trillion euros.

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of course, everyone will doubt the legitimacy of the comparison with France account given the special status of California that is not considered a country literally. Nevertheless, this American state impresses. Its population of about 39 million, is 40% less than the population of France (established to 66.3 million at 1 January 2015) and yet produces more goods and services on its soil. Business Insider also points out that California has seen its growth increase of 5.7% in 2015, far from the 1.1% of the Hexagon … Only the state of Oregon does better the United States (5.9%).

Already in 2014, the California, which accounts for 14% of US GDP had surpassed Brazil before taking the place of India and France in 2015. Still, if GDP is analyzed in parity purchasing power, that is to say, disregarding differences in cost of living between countries California falling to eleventh place just behind France. We are reassured.

If California moved to 6th place in the ranking of world economic powers, it is particularly because it houses the famous Silicon Valley where gather researchers, startups and large companies specialized in field of computers and new technologies. Is it necessary to recall that Apple, Facebook or Google have set up their headquarters? California contains many famous universities and major research centers that allow large companies to be closer to innovation. The State has therefore a dynamic economy which remains a model of development.

California also benefits from its location at the edge of the Pacific Ocean and the border with Mexico where develop subcontracting factories called “maquiladoras”. Above all, its geographical location offers important natural resources it exploits to continue to enrich themselves. Finally, the region also relies on tourism by highlighting the major cities such as Los Angeles or San Francisco but also cultural sites like the Hollywood and Disneyland.