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Culture Contact Between the Islamic East and the European West

Sugar and other industries

Andalusia played an important role in planting, refining and exporting sugar cane which was concentrated in Granada, Malaga and Al Munecar. Sugar production continued in Spain until the collapse of Islamic rule in 1492 A.D. the Spaniards allowed a large number of Moors in sugar industry to stay in Spain, but they refused and this led to a drop in production.

    Andalusia played an effective role in making good quality paper several centuries earlier than Europe. Jatiba and Valencia east of Andalusia were the most famous centres for the paper industry. The leather industry and leather tanning flourished on river banks with Cordoba becoming so famous that the French used the word "Cordonniero" to mean shoemaker and "Cordouan" to mean leather. The glass and porcelain industries in Malaga and Almeria were famous. Quesada specialized in wooden products. The ivory industry was also known for its delicate designs and beautiful decorations in the form of people or animals, inlay work on small boxes and domestic articles. It is argued that the Spanish word "Marfil" 'ivory', is an Arabic derivative.