Richmond — Bustling textile and furniture factories that used to churn out blankets and beds have moved out of southwest Virginia, taking jobs overseas.

But that doesn't mean there's nothing left in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Along with the traditions of hard work and faith remains the tangible treasure of bluegrass.

Chuck Riedhammer / AP (ENLARGE)

The Rex Theater is seen in Galax, Va, is on a new driving-tour map developed by National Geographic and the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Nathan W. Armes / AP (ENLARGE)

The Blue Ridge Parkway and lesser-known roads are included in the new map.

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"Music is the most valuable commodity that we have to sell here in these mountains," said Debbie Robinson, program coordinator for Blue Ridge Music Center, one of the many attractions included in a renewed effort to bring visitors to the heart of Appalachia.

A new driving-tour map developed by National Geographic and the Appalachian Regional Commission features 28 suggested routes, all reflecting the diversity of the 13-state region that stretches from southern New York to northeast Mississippi.

The routes include scenic staples like the Blue Ridge Parkway through North Carolina and Virginia, and lesser-known trips through historic towns, along back roads and artisan trails.

National Geographic was paid $80,000 by the commission to develop the map, which was distributed this spring to 865,000 subscribers of National Geographic Traveler. It also is available through the commission and state tourism offices.

"Appalachia in a lot of ways is one of our most important regions," said Keith Bellows, the magazine's editor. "The idea that you can drive it and see those nooks and crannies of our past, they're all there."

The commission estimates tourism as a more than $29 billion industry in the region, employing more than 600,000 people.

Economic woes have led more people to travel within the United States than abroad, to getaways closer to home. And despite rising gas prices, Bellows believes that traveling will not slow.

"The truth is we're all going to travel," Bellows said. "It's something that we absolutely love to do and I suspect that no matter how expensive it gets, we're going to want to explore our own backyard."

In Virginia, drivers can take a trip on the Crooked Road, the state's heritage music trail, along the western slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the coalfields region. The three-day, 253-mile trail features stops in historic towns like Abingdon and Clintwood and takes visitors to the Floyd Country Store and the Rex Theater.

One of western New York's trails, called Native Sons and Daughters, features sites from the million-year-old stones at Rock City Park in Knapp Creek and the Lucy-Desi Center in Jamestown, where comic Lucille Ball grew up.

The center features a museum and playhouse with exhibits and memorabilia, including re-creations of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo's New York City apartment. Officials even host festivals in the spring and summer featuring grape-stomping and look-alike contests and film screenings.

A drive through northern Alabama takes visitors on a half-day, 22-mile birding trail of 50 roadside stops to spot eastern woodland birds and waterfowl.

Pennsylvania travelers can take a tour along the Art Thrives on Route 45 trail through the central part of the state and the By-Way of the Arts along Route 15. Motorists can stop at Bullfrog Brewery in Williamsport and browse antique shops and farmers' markets.

A trek through central and southeast Ohio gives visitors the option of two trails, one exploring wildlife and history, the other a tour of barns painted with quilt patterns.

National Geographic and ARC also have gone digital, with an interactive version of the map and assistance in planning drives with directions and links to tourism offices in all 13 states.

The region covers all of West Virginia and parts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia.

INFORMATION

About the map: Routes from the guide can be downloaded for free from www.visitappalachia.com. Copies sent by mail are $5.95 and can be ordered from National Geographic Traveler magazine at 1-800-777-2800. (A copy of the issue in which the guide first appeared will be sent along with the map.)

Appalachian Regional Commission: www.arc.gov

National Geographic: www.nationalgeographic.com