Iowa

Iowa Forklift Parts - Iowa is a state located within the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland." It derives its name from the Ioway people, among the several American Indian tribes which occupied the state of Iowa at the time of European exploration. The state of Iowa was a part of the French colony of New France. After the Purchase of Louisiana, settlers laid the foundation for an economy based on agriculture in the heart of the Corn Belt. Iowa State is usually known as the "Food Capital of the World." Then again, Iowa's culture, landscape and economy are diverse.

Iowa's agricultural economy transitioned during the latter half of the 20th century to a more diversified economy of advanced manufacturing, processing, financial services, biotechnology, and green energy production. Iowa State has a population of just more than 3 million in 2010, and its largest and capital city is Des Moines. Iowa has been listed as amongst the states which is safest to reside in.

At times Iowa State is viewed as a farming state, even if agriculture in truth is a small part of the states economy. Manufacturing, biotechnology, insurance and finance services, and government services contribute substantially to the economy of Iowa. This economic diversity has helped the state of Iowa weather the late 2000s recession better than most states, with unemployment significantly lower than the rest of the nation.

During the year 2005, the economy of the state of Iowa had a GDP of $124 billion. The gross state product for that very same year was $113.5 billion. Its per capita income for 2006 was US $23,340.

Agriculture has always been directly and indirectly a major part of the economy of the state. The direct production and sale of raw agricultural products however is only about 3.5% of Iowa's gross state product. The indirect part of agriculture in Iowa's economy can be measured in many ways, but its total effect, including agriculture-affiliated business, has been measured at 16.4% when it comes to value added and 24.3% in terms of total output. This is lower than the economic impact in the state of Iowa of non-farm manufacturing, which accounts for 22.4% of total value added and 26.5% of total output. Iowa's major agricultural outputs are hogs, corn, oats, soybeans, eggs, dairy products and cattle. The state of Iowa is the country's biggest producer of ethanol and corn and some years is the biggest grower of soybeans as well. During the year 2008, the 92,600 farms within the state of Iowa produced 17% of the nation's soybeans, 19% of the corn, 30% of the hogs, and 14% of the eggs.

The key agricultural producers comprise Archer Daniels Midland, Ajinomoto, Cargill, Inc., Diamond V Mills, Garst Seed Company, Heartland Pork Enterprises, Monasato Company, Hy-Vee, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, and Quaker Oats.