The art of producing silk was developed and refined by the Chinese more than 5,000 years ago. The strong, lightweight, and lustrous fabric was the lifeblood of the Silk Road trade route that connected China to the West, changing the fortunes of empires and societies on both ends and along the way.
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National Geographic and Windows XP present the following video profiles of people and societies who "started something" that had a significant impact on the development of modern civilization.
FIND THE PERFECT SCENIC DRIVE: Check out these four outstanding U.S. destinations and open new doors to your ideal vacation. Plan your getaway with suggestions for things to see and do, maps, and safe driving tips, and use our site to send a friend a postcard from the road.
DISCOVER APPALACHIA: Find hundreds of family-friendly destinations that appeal to nature lovers, history buffs, and mountain-culture enthusiasts. Get detailed maps showing attractions and points of interest throughout this varied and exciting 13-state region.
TRAVEL ON THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ENDEAVOUR: Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic have joined forces to bring you inspiring and unique expedition cruises. We turn vacationers into explorers.
WIN A TRIP TO THE GRAND CANYON: Enter our photo contest and you could win a trip for four to the Grand Canyon! Explore our new Grand Canyon interactive map and photo gallery, and find fun and informative kids' activities in our Grand Canyon online feature.
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