What is Paracord?

I often make posts about using paracord.  For those of you who may not know what it is, here's an explanation....

Parachute cord (also paracord or 550 cord) is a lightweight nylon kernmantle rope originally used in the suspension lines of US parachutes during World War II. Once in the field, paratroopers found this cord useful for many other tasks. It is now used as a general purpose utility cord by both military personnel and civilians. This versatile cord was even used by...Read more
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parachute_cord