Thesis
Sugar cane has impacted the world greatly by spreading ethnic diversity among distant lands, creating pollution from processing, and contributing to the economy by being the world's largest cash crop.
OriginsSugar cane originated in the tropical areas of South and Southeast Asia. Although, different species most likely originated from different locations. But, it is believed that sugar cane was first native as a crop in New Guinea at around 6,000 BC. The common household use for sugar, crystallized sugar, was found in the Indus Valley Civilization (modern-day Pakistan and north India) in 3,000 BC.
|
HistoryAround eighth century AD, Arab traders brought the sugar from South Asia and introduced the crop to many other lands such as the Mediterranean, Mesopotamia, Egypt, North Africa, and Andalusia. It was then that Andalusia and Portugal introduced sugar cane to the Americas. From the 17th to 19th centuries, boiling houses converted the sugar cane juice into raw sugar. Also, during Colonial times, sugar formed one side of the triangle trade in New World raw materials. Sugar was then shipped from the Caribbean (where sugar extensively grows) to Europe and New England where it was concentrated into rum.
|
ImpactSince the 19th century, sugar cane crops have aided shape the distribution of ethnicities in distant lands.
The burning of sugar cane plants have emitted many pollutants into the atmosphere during sugar cane processing. Brazil’s economy has improved greatly since they've become the largest producer of sugar cane in the world due to the high demand for sugar. |