Silicon Valley is commonly used nickname for the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in California. Silicon Valley is a specific geographic area - the northern part of Santa Clara Valley and surrounding communities on the San Francisco Peninsula and in the East Bay. Its name, however, comes from the world of technology. This area has a high concentration of compute-related companies that make and use silicon chips. How did this small area become the center of such an innovative and successful industry? Many people point to geographical reasons to explain Silicon Valley's high-tech success. Pleasant climate and available space are two geographical features that attract people and companies to Silicon Valley. These features hold them there after they arrive also. In a survey of Silicon Valley companies, more than two-thirds rated the location and climate as outstanding.
