The Republic of Venice was a major financial and maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and a staging area for the Crusades and the Battle of Lepanto, as well as a very important centre of commerce (especially silk, grain, and spice) and art in the 13th century up to the end of the 17th century.
Built (1811–37) from Cumberland, Md<span>. (western terminus of a state road from </span>Baltimore<span> and of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal), to </span>Vandalia<span>, Ill., it forms part of the present U.S. Route 40.</span>
The southern part of the country
