The largest shipping routes are always East or Westbound. There is a lot less traffic going from North to South and vice versa. For a map on world shipping routes click this link http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/01/global-shipping-map/
shipping lane
Yes, Wired.com has completed a global shipping map; Google it.
Using the modern shipping lane that goes along the path today (which may be slightly off), it's 3,090 miles.
No, land routes were typically slower and more expensive than all-water routes for shipping products from the Orient. All-water routes such as the Silk Road or the sea routes were often preferred for their efficiency and cost-effectiveness in transporting goods.
true
straits
River valley
suez canal
shipping routes
Strait
It is an important shipping lane (route).
Freighter: Size.