California

California’s population is estimated by the US Census Bureau at 36,961,664 for the year 2009, making it the most populous state.  California is the second-most-populous sub-national entity of the Western Hemisphere, exceeded only by the State of São Paulo, Brazil.  California’s population is greater than that of all but 34 countries of the world.  Also, Los Angeles County has held the title of most populous U.S. county for decades, and it alone is more populous than 42 U.S. states.

Were California an independent country, its gross domestic product would be ranked between seventh and tenth in the world.  As of 2007, the gross state product (GSP) is about $1.812 trillion, the largest in the United States. California is responsible for 13 percent of the United States gross domestic product (GDP). As of 2006, California’s GDP is larger than all but eight countries in the world (all but eleven countries by Purchasing Power Parity).

In terms of jobs, the five largest sectors in California are trade, transportation, and utilities; government; professional and business services; education and health services; and leisure and hospitality. In terms of output, the five largest sectors are financial services, followed by trade, transportation, and utilities; education and health services; government; and manufacturing.

California’s economy is very dependent on trade and international related commerce accounts for approximately one-quarter of the state’s economy. In 2008, California exported $144 billion worth of goods, up from $134 billion in 2007 and $127 billion in 2006.  Computers and electronic products are California’s top export, accounting for 42 percent of all the state’s exports in 2008.[68]

Agriculture is an important sector in California’s economy. Farming-related sales more than quadrupled over the past three decades, from $7.3 billion in 1974 to nearly $31 billion in 2004.  This increase has occurred despite a 15 percent decline in acreage devoted to farming during the period, and water supply suffering from chronic instability. Factors contributing to the growth in sales-per-acre include more intensive use of active farmlands and technological improvements in crop production.  In 2008, California’s 81,500 farms and ranches generated $36.2 billion products revenue.