Globalization is the connection of ###### parts of the world. Globalization ###### in the expansion of international ######, economic and political activities. As ######, ideas, knowledge and goods move ###### easily around the globe, the ###### of people around the world ###### more similar.

Globalization In History

Globalization has a ###### history. Ancient Greek culture, for ######, spread across much of southwestern ######, northern Africa and southern Europe.]]>
###### Silk Road, a trade route ###### China and the Mediterranean Sea, ###### the exchange of ideas and ######, along with trade goods and ###### such as silk, spices, porcelain ###### other treasures from the East.

###### Europeans began establishing colonies overseas, ###### grew. Many early European explorers ###### eager to bring the Christian ###### to the regions they visited. ###### globalization of Christianity spread from ###### to Latin America through Christian ###### working with the local populations.]]>
@@@@@@@'@ colony in India, for instance, ###### cotton to British merchants and ######. Madras, a light cotton cloth, ###### made in the city of ###### (now called Chennai), a major ###### in India. Eventually, madras cloth ###### no longer manufactured in Madras ###### all - the Indian labor ###### supplied the raw material, cotton.]]>
###### sped up dramatically in the ###### century with the proliferation of ###### travel, the expansion of free ###### and the dawn of the ###### Age. Miles of fiber-optic cable ###### connect the continents, allowing people ###### the world to communicate instantly ###### the borderless World Wide Web. ]]>
Communication Modern communication has played a ###### role in cultural globalization. Today, ###### and information zip instantly around ###### world on the Internet. People ###### read information about foreign countries ###### easily as they read about ###### local news. Through globalization, people ###### become aware of incidents very ######. In seconds, people are able ###### respond to natural disasters that ###### thousands of miles away.

About ###### percent of the people in ###### world now use cellphones.]]>
Travel

Increased international ###### has also helped globalization. Each ######, millions of people move from ###### country to another in search ###### work. Sometimes, these migrant workers ###### a short distance, such as ###### the Mexican state of Sonora ###### the U.S.]]>
People do not travel just ###### work, of course. Millions of ###### take vacations to foreign countries.]]>
###### and tourism have made people ###### familiar with other cultures. Travelers ###### exposed to new ideas about ######, which may change what they ###### at the store at home.]]>
Popular Culture

Popular culture ###### also become more globalized. People ###### the United States enjoy listening ###### South African music and reading ###### comic books. American soap operas ###### popular in Israel.]]>
###### styles have also become more ###### as a result of globalization. ###### and regional costumes have become ###### as globalization has increased. In ###### parts of the world, professionals ###### as bankers wear suits, and ###### and T-shirts are common for ###### people.

There has also been ###### increasing exchange of foods across ###### globe.]]>
The worldwide ###### of McDonald's has become a ###### of globalization. Some menu items, ###### as the Big Mac, are ###### same all over the world.]]>
Economy

The international ###### has also become more globalized ###### recent decades. International trade is ###### to the economies of most ###### around the world.]]>
###### increase trade, many countries have ###### free-trade agreements with other countries. ###### free-trade agreements, countries agree to ###### trade barriers. For example, they ###### stop charging tariffs, or taxes, ###### imports. In 1994, the United ######, Mexico and Canada signed the ###### American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), ###### eventually ended all tariffs on ###### goods among the three nations.]]>
###### large corporations operate in many ###### around the world. HSBC, the @@@@@'@ largest bank, has offices in ###### different countries. Originally, HSBC stood ###### Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation, which ###### founded in 1865 to promote ###### between China and the United ######. Today, HSBC has its headquarters ###### London, England.

Economic globalization has ###### many corporations based in the ###### to move factories and jobs ###### less-economically developed countries, a process ###### outsourcing.]]>
Economic ###### are global. People and organizations ###### in companies all over the ######.]]>
Politics

Cultural and economic globalization have ###### countries to become more connected ######. Countries frequently cooperate to enact ###### agreements. They work together to ###### their borders to allow the ###### of money and people needed ###### keep economic globalization working.]]>
Many problems ###### the world today cross national ######, so countries must work together ###### solve them. Efforts to confront ###### such as global climate change ###### involve many different countries.]]>
The process of ###### is very controversial. Many people ###### globalization will help people communicate. ###### agencies can respond more quickly ###### a natural disaster. Advanced medicines ###### more easily and widely available ###### people who may not have ###### able to afford them.]]>
Not everyone says ###### globalization is good, however. Some ###### worry that Western culture will ###### local cultures around the world. ###### fear that everyone will end ###### eating hamburgers and watching Hollywood ######. Others point out that people ###### to adopt some aspects of ###### cultures without giving up their ######.]]>
Opponents to globalization ###### free trade for unfair working ######. They also say that outsourcing ###### caused wealthy countries to lose ###### many jobs. Supporters of globalization ###### that factory workers in poor ###### are making much better wages ###### they would at other jobs ###### to them. They also argue ###### free trade has lowered prices ###### wealthier countries and improved the ###### of poorer countries.]]>