The term Silicon Valley was coined by the journalist Don C. Hoefler in 1971. “Silicon” alludes to the high concentration of industries in the zone related to semiconductors and computers. “Valley” makes reference to Santa Clara Valley, although currently it could extend to both sides of the bay where many of these industries have expanded.
During these last years there have been many European countries that have tried to create a “Silicon Valley” with the success of California. England, Italy, and Ireland are some of these countries that still today are fighting to reach this status without taking into account the most fundamental thing, the city chosen should meet the basic requirements, which very few European cities have. These are precisely the conditions that Malaga has. The Andalucian city, not only has the climate on its side, but also a technological park of a highest level, a university, and infrastructure that permits it to be converted into the most important zone of technological excellence in Europe.
As models, Malaga will be able to take other cities of the world that have entered this campaign, seeking with success to have the title of “Silicon Valleys”. This is the case of Taejon in Korea or Bangalore in India. En Korea, the city of Taejon has obtained the deserved nickname of “Silicon Valley”, due to its location as center of technology of the country, with approximately seventy scientific laboratories installed in the in Research Complex of Daedok. Its great success throughout the years has permitted among other things, that the Worldwide Association of Technology), formed by 27 cities of technology in 13 countries, has chosen it as the seat of its secretary.
In India, Bangalore is often defined as the “Silicon Valley” of the country; it has already been converted into a very attractive city for investment and also has important, experienced, and a very technical manual labor force. The city, that concentrates more than 1,200 foreign and domestic technological businesses has generated more than 60% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the state of Karnataka, to which it belongs, and from 1981 to 2001 it grew 42% in population, reaching now 6 million residents. Despite this sudden growth, product of its success, it needs to improve its infrastructure if it wants to continue being the technological capital of India. |
