Some commodities command massive economic, social, and political influence. This title examines the business around cotton, one of the world's top fiber crops. It explores cotton's deep historical influence, the way it is grown today, and its surprising uses in many high-tech fabrics. Features include essential facts, a glossary, selected bibliography, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.