Trade route facts for kids
A trade route is a series of paths or roads that is used for the commercial transport of cargo.
Historically, the period from 1500 BC–1 AD saw the Western Asian, Mediterranean, Chinese and Indian societies develop major networks for trade, such as the silk road. Europe's early trading routes included the amber road, which served as a network for long distance trade. Maritime trade along the spice route became prominent during the Middle Ages; nations tried to control this influential route. During the Middle Ages organizations such as the Hanseatic League, aimed at protecting interests of the merchants and trade, also became increasingly important.
In modern times, commercial activity shifted from the major trade routes of the Old World to newer routes between modern nation states. This activity was sometimes carried out without traditional protection of trade and under international free trade agreements, which allowed commercial goods to cross borders with relaxed restrictions. Innovative transportation of the modern times includes pipeline transport, and the relatively well known trade using rail routes, automobiles and cargo airlines.
Images for kids
-
One of the Borobudur ships from the 8th century, they were depictions of large native outrigger trading vessels, possibly of the Sailendra and Srivijaya thalassocracies. Shown with the characteristic tanja sail of Southeast Asian Austronesians.
-
Trading routes used around the 1st century CE centred on the Silk Road.
-
Saharan trade routes circa 1400, with the modern territory of Niger highlighted; Tuareg people, who exercised influence over the Trans Saharan Trade.
-
Austronesian proto-historic and historic maritime trade network in the Indian Ocean
-
Genoese (red) and Venetian (green) maritime trade routes in the Mediterranean
-
Portuguese India Armadas and trade routes (blue) since Vasco da Gama's 1498 journey and the Spanish Manila-Acapulco galleons trade routes (white) established in 1568
-
Map of the Arctic region showing the Northeast Passage, the Northern Sea Route within it, and the Northwest Passage.
-
High-capacity freeway interchange in Los Angeles, California.
-
FedEx DC-10.
See also
In Spanish: Ruta comercial para niños