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 Forklift Attachments Iowa - Iowa is a state situated within the Midwestern United States, a part usually referred to as the "American Heartland." It derives its name from the Ioway people, amongst the various American Indian tribes which occupied the state during the time of European exploration. Iowa State was a part of the French colony of New France. After the Louisiana Purchase, settlers laid the foundation for an agriculture-based economy within the heart of the Corn Belt. The state of Iowa is usually known as the "Food Capital of the World." Nonetheless, the culture, landscape and economy of Iowa State are diverse.
Iowa's agricultural economy transitioned in the latter half of the 20th century to a more diversified economy of advanced processing, manufacturing, financial services, biotechnology, and green energy production. Iowa State has a population of just more than 3 million in 2010, and its capital and largest city is Des Moines. Iowa State has been listed as among the safest states in which to live.
Occasionally Iowa State is viewed as a farming state, although agriculture in truth is a small portion of the economy of the state. Biotechnology, manufacturing, finance and insurance services, and government services contribute significantly to Iowa's economy. This economic diversity has helped the state of Iowa weather the recession during 200 much better than nearly all of the states, with unemployment significantly less as opposed to the rest of the United States.
If the economy is measured by gross domestic product, during the year 2005 Iowa's GDP was approximately US $124 billion. If measured by gross state product, for 2005 it was US $113.5 billion. Its per capita income for 2006 was US $23,340.
Agriculture has always been indirectly and directly a key portion of the state's economy. The direct sale and production of raw agricultural products however is only about 3.5% of Iowa's gross state product. The indirect part of agriculture in the economy of the state of Iowa could be measured in various ways, but its total effect, comprising agriculture-affiliated business, has been measured at 16.4% in terms of value added and 24.3% in terms of total output. This is lower compared to the economic impact within Iowa of non-farm manufacturing, that accounts for 26.5% of total output and 22.4% of total value added. The state's key agricultural outputs are corn, hogs, soybeans, oats, 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 too. During the year 2008, the 92,600 farms within Iowa State produced 17% of the country's soybeans, 19% of the corn, 14% of the eggs and 30% of the hogs.
The major agricultural producers comprise Archer Daniels Midland, Ajinomoto, Cargill, Inc., Diamond V Mills, Garst Seed Company, Heartland Pork Enterprises, Monasato Company, Hy-Vee, Quaker Oats and Pioneer Hi-Bred International.
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