California is the fifth largest economy in the world. Yes, you read that right. If California were a sovereign nation, it would rank 5th on the world’s biggest economy list. Higher than India and the United Kingdom. This is a testament to the immense growth the state has seen since its inception back in 1850.
However, while there are many industries contributing to California’s blissful economy, none compares to the entertainment and tech industry. For over a century, California has maintained its status as the hub of technology and entertainment in the US and the world. Also, the state is home to several online casino sites and gaming centers. So, it is no surprise to see residents of the state having fun by visiting the best California online casinos to play their favorite games.
In this article, we’ll look at four significant reasons why California has maintained this status for so long.
Why California is America’s Technology and Entertainment Hub
California is one of the most visited places in the world, and it’s all thanks to the state’s advancement in entertainment and tech. Here are four reasons the state leads the way in these two sectors.
1. Hollywood
It’s almost impossible to talk about California without mentioning the world’s biggest and most prosperous film industry, Hollywood. Hollywood is home to the gigantic US film industry, and the studios located there are responsible for the dozens of wonderful movies we see every year.
California’s first relations with the movie industry was back in 1910. The popularity of film in America was growing rapidly, and producers needed easier ways to scale up production; location was a major factor too. California was chosen for many reasons. To start with, Thomas Edison and his gang had a monopoly over the film industry at the time, and they operated from New Jersey. California was far away from New Jersey, so it made sense to start afresh there.
Another critical factor was that the lighting technology at the time was not advanced, and filmmakers had to rely heavily on natural light. California, a state that records over 300 days of sunlight per year was chosen because it made it easier to film all year round. All these happened at the early stage of the film industry and attracted multiple investors to the state. Gradually, movie stars, directors, artists, and production companies started to move into California, and in no time, the state became the hub of film entertainment in America and the world.
2. Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is another one of California’s most popular locations. Over the years, it has been identified as the ultimate tech location of the world. It is located in the southern part of San Francisco within Palo Alto and San Jose. It recently overtook Oakland to become the most expensive city in the US and one of the world’s wealthiest locations.
Like Hollywood, people were initially attracted to Silicon Valley because of the weather and landscape. Tech companies that planned on future expansions moved there, and it gradually became a hub for techies. Also, California had very loose non-compete laws, so it was easier for start-ups and entrepreneurs to grow without bullying from major corporations. Now, Silicon Valley, California, is home to the biggest tech companies in the world, with the likes of Google, Facebook, eBay, and Apple all based there.
Also, Los Angeles has begun to attract its own wave of techies. The city is now offering what it calls a mix of creative content and state-of-the-art technology. Companies like AwesomenessTV, Fullscreen, and Big Frame already operate from there, and analysts are already dubbing it the ‘next Silicon Valley.’
3. California Culture
California is dubbed America’s entertainment hub not only because of its wild film and music industry but because of its diverse culture.
The state is famous for its diversity. There’s no form of entertainment you’re looking for that isn’t within the California borders. From wonderful cuisines to great wine and wonderful people. People who visit California will get to experience different cultures and see entertainment in diverse forms.
Furthermore, the state also has a great sport and gambling culture. It’s not uncommon to see Californian playing games at online casinos as it’s one of their favorite leisure activities. Los Angeles Lakers and San Francisco 49ers are also based in the state and offer great sports entertainment.
4. Coachella
Coachella is another one of California’s most prominent entertainment exports. The annual musical festival is the world’s biggest and attracted a record 250,000 people during its 2017 edition.
Coachella has been held in Indio, California, since its inception in 1999. The festival sees some of the world’s biggest stars perform over a 3-day weekend period every April. It also attracts tourists from all over the world, and they all come for the artist’s surprises, glorious food galore, an exciting vibe, fashion exposure, and celebrity sightings.
The Bottom Line
The California economy generates an estimated $3.2 trillion in revenue annually, making it the wealthiest state in the US and one of the world’s most vibrant economies.
This is all thanks to its two major industries: tech and entertainment. California is currently the hub or prime location of these industries and has Hollywood, Silicon Valley, an exciting culture, and Coachella to thank for this.
