Actually, with a GDP in 2002 of 1,976.2 Billion US for Germany, and Iowa at $90 Billion (year 2001), shows that Germany is a far cry ahead of Iowa.
GDP is interesting .. I see that the EU, the second largest economy in the world, has a GDP of $7.9Trillion in 2001. This must be behind the USA with $37.8 Trillion! (wow, big gap!).
Germany actually compete's more with the likes of California ...
Actually that source says the US is just below $11 trillion with $37,800 per person. German GDP is $27,600 per capita. UK and France are just about the same as Germany.