Cotton

Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber used to create textiles.

It grows in a protective case called a boll. These bolls surround the seeds of plants in the genus Gossypium. These plants belong to the mallow family, known as Malvaceae. The fiber is composed almost entirely of cellulose. It may also contain small amounts of waxes, fats, pectins, and water.

Because it is breathable and durable, cotton is the most widely used natural fiber for clothing today.

The production process begins with the growth of the cotton plant. The plant is a shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions. These regions include the Americas, Africa, and India. Under natural conditions, the cotton bolls help disperse the seeds. Once harvested, the fibers are often spun into yarn or thread.

Workers may sort through the cotton to remove contaminants. These threads are then woven into various types of fabric. While most cotton is white, it can naturally occur in brown, pink, or green. However, many growers avoid colored varieties to prevent genetic contamination.

There are four main species of cotton grown commercially today. The first is Gossypium hirsutum, also called upland cotton. It is native to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. This species accounts for 90% of all world production. The second is Gossypium barbadense, or extra-long staple cotton. It is native to tropical South America and provides over 5% of production.

The third species is Gossypium arboreum, known as tree cotton. It is native to India and Pakistan but produces less than 2%. The fourth is Gossypium herbaceum, or Levant cotton. It is native to southern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Humans have cultivated cotton since prehistoric times. In the Americas, evidence of Gossypium barbadense exists in Peru. This dates back to the 7th or 6th millennia BC.

Archaeologists found indigo blue dyed textile fragments in Huaca Prieta, Peru. In the Old World, the earliest evidence was found in Pakistan. At the site of Mehrgarh, researchers found cotton thread inside copper beads.

These beads date to the 6th millennium BC. This discovery suggests cotton use in the Old World began much earlier than previously thought.

Cotton history also includes the Kingdom of Kush in eastern Sudan. Researchers believe Gossypium herbaceum may have been domesticated there around 5000 BC. By the 4th century BC, the people of Meroë had high levels of spinning and weaving skill.

Cotton was a major source of wealth through exports. In the Americas, the domestication of upland cotton in Mexico occurred between 3400 and 2300 BC. During this time, people grew, spun, and dyed the fiber. Some of this cotton was even sent as tribute to Aztec rulers.

Modern cotton production is a massive global industry. Current estimates show the world produces about 25 million tonnes annually.

This is equivalent to roughly 110 million bales. This industry uses about 2.5% of the world's total arable land. India is currently the largest producer of cotton globally. The United States has served as the largest exporter for many years.

The invention of the cotton gin was a major turning point. This machine lowered production costs and allowed for widespread use.

The word "cotton" has deep linguistic roots. It comes from the Arabic word *qutn*. This word is ultimately derived from the Hebrew *kuttṓnĕṯ*. Interestingly, that Hebrew word meant clothing made of linen. Cotton was rare in Romance-speaking lands during the medieval era. However, imports from Arabic-speaking lands eventually lowered prices significantly. Today, cotton connects many different global systems, from agriculture to international trade.