Historical Trade Routes and Figures

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Silk Roads

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A system of ancient caravan routes across Central Asia, along which traders carried silk and other trade goods; known for spreading religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam as well as technological transfers and diseases like the Bubonic plague.

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Indian Ocean Trade

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Connected to Europe, Africa, South Asia, and China; world's richest maritime trading network and an area of rapid Muslim expansion, spread of goods, ideas.

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Trans-Saharan Trade

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Route across the Sahara Desert; traded for gold and salt, created caravan routes, economic benefit for controlling desert, camels and camel saddles were crucial in the development of these trade networks; facilitated the spread of Islam.

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Magnetic Compass

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Chinese invention that aided navigation by showing which direction was north.

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Rudder

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Steering device, usually a vertical blade attached to a post at, or near, the stern of the boat; improved sea trade.

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Junk Ship

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A very large flat-bottom sailing ship produced in the Tang and Song Empires, specially designed for long-distance commercial travel and participation in the tribute system.

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Kashgar

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Also known as Kashi, a central trading point at which the western and the eastern Silk Road met; It is one of the westernmost cities of China, near the border with modern day Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.

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Samarkand

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During the rule of Timur Lane was the most influential capital city, a wealthy trading center known for decorated mosques and tombs; a key trading city along the Silk Roads.

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Paper Money

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Legal currency issued on paper; it developed in China as a convenient alternative to metal coins; facilitated trade.

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Caravanserai

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An inn with a central courtyard for travelers in the desert regions of Asia or North Africa; allowed caravans and their camels to rest in a protected environment, encouraging trade.