As an expert in historical economics and land valuation, I can provide an estimation of what the Louisiana Purchase might cost today. The Louisiana Purchase was a land deal between the United States and France in 1803, where the U.S. acquired approximately 828,000 square miles of land for $15 million. To calculate the modern-day value, we would need to consider factors such as inflation, the current value of land, and the economic significance of the area.

First, let's adjust for inflation. Using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' CPI Inflation Calculator, the $15 million from 1803 would be equivalent to over $350 million in 2021 dollars. However, this is a very conservative estimate because it only accounts for the general increase in prices and not the specific increase in land values.

Next, we must consider the current value of land. Land prices vary greatly depending on location, but for the sake of this estimation, let's consider an average price per square mile. If we were to use a very rough average land value, it could be anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per square mile, depending on the region and its development.

Lastly, the economic significance of the area must be taken into account. The Louisiana Purchase included land that today makes up all or part of 15 U.S. states, much of which is highly valuable for agriculture, natural resources, and strategic location.

Given these factors, a very rough and speculative estimate might place the value of the Louisiana Purchase in today's market at several trillion dollars. It's important to note that this is a highly speculative figure and the actual value would depend on numerous factors, including the current real estate market, political climate, and the specific terms of any hypothetical sale.

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With a purchase price of just $15 million, the U.S. added some 13 states worth of territories at less than three cents per acre. But the Louisiana Purchase almost didn't happen for a couple reasons.read more >>