Ohio state is found in the Midwest United States. In total area, the state ranks as the 34th largest. The state is the seventh most densely inhabited state with almost 11.5 million residents. The state capital is Columbus. The word "Ohio" itself, is derived from the Iroquois word "ohi-yo," that means "great river."
The state was originally partitioned from the Northwest Territory. The state was the first state under the Northwest Ordinance to be admitted to the union. Signed on the 1st of march, 1803, it was the 17th state to join. Historically, Ohio has been known as the "Buckeye State," linking to the buckeye tree. The individuals who live in the state of Ohio, at times called Ohioans are also known as "Buckeyes." Based on population density, Ohio state ranks ninth amongst the nation and comprises seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.
The government of the state of Ohio is made up of the Governor led executive branch, the supreme court led judicial branch and the legislative branch led by the Ohio General Assembly. The state of Ohio has the reputation as both a bellwether and a swing state in national elections. Now, the state of Ohio occupies eighteen seats within the United States House of Representatives.
As Ohio state is geographically situated from the Northeast to the Midwest, there is a large amount of traffic and cargo which pass along its highways through its borders. The location has been useful, allowing for economic growth and expansion. The state has the tenth largest highway network in the USA. It is within a one day drive of half of North America's population and 70 percent of North America's manufacturing capacity.
There are lots of sea ports situated in the north, since the Lake Erie coastline extends for about 312 miles. Within the south, the Ohio River acts as the border, with the border being on the river's north side at the 1793 low water mark. Another large portion of the northern border is defined by Lake Erie. Indiana borders Ohio state to the west, Michigan is found to the northwest, Kentucky is on the south, Ontario, Canada is found on the north and Pennsylvania is on the east.
The state of Ohio recently ranked fourth, amongst all states for the best business climate in 2009, according to Site Selection magazine. The numbers were based upon a database of business activity. This particular magazine has likewise awarded the state three consecutive Governor's Cup awards, based on developments and business growth. Ohio's GDP or Gross Domestic Product as of 2007 was $466 billion, ranking the state as seventh biggest of all of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council ranked Ohio state, the best business friendly tax systems in their Business Tax Index 2009. These numbers include a top corporate tax along with a capital gains rate that have the state ranked sixth at 1.9%. Ohio was ranked 11th by the council for best friendly-policy states according to their Small Business Survival Index 2009. The state came in 7 for best litigation climate and the Directorship's Boardroom Guide likewise ranked Ohio state 13th overall for best business climate.
Based on the U.S. News and World Report's rankings of 2010, Ohio state has five of the top 115 colleges within the USA. The same magazine ranked the state 8 for best high schools in 2008. Furthermore, Forbes ranked Ohio State 8th for best regulatory environment during the year 2009.
During the month of May year 2010, Ohio's unemployment rate was 10.7 %. The state's employment rate is expected to grow 5% from 2006 to 2016, a net gain of 290,700 jobs. Ohio's per capita income averages $34,874 and as of the year 2007, Ohio's median household income is $46,645. These figures place 13.1% of the population below the poverty line, which is a bit above the national rate of 13%.
Ohio's GDP is mainly because of the financial and manufacturing sectors each making up 18.3% of Ohio's Gross Domestic Product. The state of Ohio is a national leader in the "green" economy all around the country. It has the biggest bioscience sector within the Midwest. In the U.S., Ohio is the biggest producer of fabricated appliances, electrical equipment, metals, rubber and plastic. Now, 5,212,000 Ohioans are employed by wage or salary.
For employment, the transportation/trade/utilities is Ohio's biggest sector. This sector hires 1,010,000 Ohioans or approximately 19.4% of the state's workforce. The health care and education sector employs 15.8% or 825,000 Ohioans. The Government sector follows hiring 787,000 Ohioans or 15.1%, whereas the manufacturing business employs 669,000 Ohioans or 12.9%, and professional and technical services hires 638,000 Ohioans 12.2%.
The manufacturing sector of Ohio is the 3rd biggest of all 50 states in terms of GDP. According to statistics during 2008, Fifty nine of the United States' top one thousand publically traded businesses are headquartered within Ohio. Some of these businesses include: AK Steel, Abercrombie & Fitch, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Wendy's and Proctor & Gamble and Timken. Ohio also has its very own lottery, just like forty one other states do. Through the course of its 34 year history, the Ohio Lottery has contributed over fifteen and a half billion dollars to public education.