Love it or hate it, there is no longer disputing the fact that Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is the most valuable company in history.  On Monday when Apple stock (AAPL) reached a market cap of $621.64 billion, history was made – no other company has ever reached that level of valuation.

So what’s driving this strong market cap?  Strong sales projections for the iPhone 5 is one big part of the story, however there are other Apple products that are expected to be in the pipeline that are also driving the stock higher.  A much anticipated iPad Mini could be announced along with the iPhone at Apple’s news conference on September 12th.  Although some believe there is no market for the iPad Mini, I would argue that Kindle Fire has shown otherwise.

Back in 2010, Apple became the most valuable company in the U.S. when it’s market cap reached $346.74 billion, taking the thrown from Exxon Mobile.  Oil and energy are huge here in the U.S., but apparently not as “huge” as the iPhone, iPad, and all things Apple.

Apple shares are currently up [670.98 +5.83 (0.88%)].