Economy of Toulouse
The economy of the French city of Toulouse is mainly linked to the industries of aeronautics and aerospace. The agglomeration's GDP is approximately 30 billion euros. In 2003, Toulouse was also characterized by a debt rate that was one of the lowest in Europe for a city of its size. In 1999, the total number of people working in Toulouse was 216,480. The unemployment rate was 9.9% in 2005 and was estimated in December 2006 at 9.1%, slightly higher than the national average (8.6%). Agriculture, market gardening Like most large cities located on the alluvial plain, Toulouse has developed a market garden culture that allows it to have a regular supply of fresh produce. Thus, the southeast and north of the city are areas traditionally devoted to this type of cultivation. However, this practice is tending to diminish, as the available surface area is being reduced by the pressure of land ownership. Toulouse is also known for the cultivation of violets, for their flowers and perfume. Industry Unlike other large cities in France, Toulouse did not experience the industrial revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries. This specificity kept it away from the major political and strategic decisions for many