The Great Lakes, Corn Belt, and Bay Area

The Great Lakes and Corn Belt region varies in many ways from the Bay Area. This region is considered the "heartland" of the United States because there is a perception associated with the Great Lakes and Corn Belt of "true American values" being present here. This belief is in contrast to the "foreign" influences on the East and West coast of the United States.

In terms of the Bay Area, foreign influence is very present in this region due to its location on the Pacific coast with easy access to sea travel. For example, San Francisco has the largest China town in the United States due to immigration from Asia across the Pacific ocean. Hispanic influence is also very evident throughout the Bay Area and California. For example, San Jose is the oldest city in California founded as a Spanish colony in 1777. The city still bears the Spanish influenced name and classic Spanish architecture is present throughout the city.

The Great Lakes and Corn Belt region has been historically known for its manufacturing industry. Cities such as Detroit, with its automotive industry, have been vital to the economy in this region. The Bay Area differs from the Great Lakes and Corn Belt because the economy is powered by the technology industry.

Silicon Valley is not only the economic hub of the Bay Area, but of California. It is considered the United States hub of high tech innovation and development. Silicon Valley is home of the startup tech business and many fortune 500 companies. New technologies and services are constantly being created here. Although there is an aspect of manufacturing that comes with the development of technology such as computers and smart phones, this high tech industry is powering the Bay Areas economy.