丝绸之路是历史上连接中国和地中海的一条重要贸易路线。因为这条路上的丝绸贸易占多数，故而在1877年被德国的一位杰出的地理学家命名为“丝绸之路”。同时，丝绸之路也是其他许多商品进行交易的主干线，也是传播技术的一条主要通道。通过丝绸之路传入中国的事物中意义最为重大的当属佛教。中国的养蚕技术、生铁锻造技术和灌溉技术曾通过丝绸之路传播到中亚、南亚和欧洲。

The Silk Route is an important international trade route between China and the Mediterranean in history. Since silk accounted for a large proportion of trade along this route, in 1877, it was named the Silk Route by an eminent German geographer. In the meantime, this route served as an artery of exchange for many other products, and more importantly, their technology. One of the most significant objects introduced to China via the Silk Route is Buddhism. Chinese techniques of silkworm breeding, iron smelting and irrigation spread to Central and Southern Asia and to Europe.

丝绸之路 the Silk Route

地中海 the Mediterranean

杰出的 eminent

地理学家 geographer

交易 exchange

主干线 artery

养蚕 silkworm breeding

生铁锻造 iron smelting

灌溉 irrigation