Geography, Historic Cities Research Center
World affairs are not driven just by strong personalities and powerful armies, but by a country’s natural resources and trade. Power comes from the successful acquisition and trade of desired commodities. This blog describes how the great trade routes evolved to deliver the most widely desired products across the globe. These commodities often had to be carried for thousands of miles across land and sea to deliver them to their markets. Their origin from distant, mystical locations added to their status and allure.
From the dawn of civilization to the modern era, at least one commodity was always at the center of the world stage. International trade in these commodities pushed humans to explore and then travel to the far corners of the earth. The great powers of the world fought mightily for the kingdoms where these goods were produced. Ultimately, European lust for them led to the discovery of the sea route from Europe around Africa to Southeast Asia. The New World was accidentally discovered by Columbus in his quest for spices. A huge amalgamation of world crops came together when the New and Old Words collided in the Columbian Exchange.
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Catalysts of trade and exploration 