cross bow and compass
The Silk Road.
In the late 1400's, Muslim traders dominated the Trans-Sahara Trade Routes. But Portugal dominated the seas. Prince Henry of Portugal was fascinated by Africa, the huge continent to the immediate south of Portugal. It was such a vast place. He had been there during the wars with Morocco in 1415. He had a hunch that maybe, just maybe, his wonderful sailors could find a way around Africa by sea. It had never been done. It might not even be possible. There might not be a river through or a sea around Africa. The way Prince Henry looked at, though, was - what good was it to be a prince if you could not follow your hunches? Sure enough, around 1434, under the able guidance of Prince Henry the Navigator, several well organized explorations left Portugal and sailed down the west coast of Africa in search of a short cut to India, where they knew they would find gold, gems, spices, and silk. It was a good hunch. Prince Henry was right. There was a way round Africa. Around 1488, Captain Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope. Ten years later, Vasco da Gama, probably the most famous of the many famous Portuguese explorers, rounded the Cape of Good Hope and continued on to India. When Portugal showed the world that it was easier to sail around the coast of Africa than travel though the desert, the cities and towns that had sprung up along the Trans-Sahara Trade Route began to decline in influence. Trade did not stop, but it did slow down considerably. It was far less dangerous and far less costly to travel by ship than by camel.
They wanted to find an all water trade route to Asia that bypassed the Mediterranean.Many wanted to spread Christianity.Some countries wanted to expand their own empires.In many cases they were simply curious.
the route in the sea
European nations sought a sea route to Asia primarily to access valuable goods such as spices, silk, and precious metals, which were in high demand and often transported via costly overland trade routes. Additionally, the desire to bypass intermediaries, reduce costs, and increase profits motivated explorers to find direct maritime paths. The Age of Exploration was also driven by the aspiration for territorial expansion, national prestige, and the spread of Christianity. Overall, establishing a sea route promised significant economic and geopolitical advantages for European powers.
Islam
Timbuktu was a central point in the trans-Saharan trade route system. Located in present-day Mali, it served as a major hub for the exchange of goods, such as gold, salt, and ivory, as well as a center for the spread of knowledge and culture. Its strategic position facilitated trade between North Africa and sub-Saharan regions, contributing to its wealth and prominence during the medieval period.
The first permanent trade route was created in 1482
Trans-Saharan trade began around the 8th century CE, primarily as a means of exchanging goods like gold, salt, and slaves between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. This trade route flourished over the centuries, especially with the rise of powerful empires such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, which facilitated and controlled trade across the Sahara.
The main commodity of the trans-Saharan trade route was gold, which was highly sought after in North Africa and beyond. However, salt was also a crucial trade item, as it was essential for food preservation and human health. Other goods included ivory, textiles, and slaves, but gold and salt were the primary drivers of the trade's economic significance. This trade route facilitated cultural exchanges and contributed to the rise of powerful empires in West Africa, such as the Mali Empire.
The four main historical trade routes are the Silk Road, which connected East Asia to the Mediterranean; the Spice Route, linking Southeast Asia to Europe; the Trans-Saharan trade routes, facilitating trade across North Africa; and the Incense Route, connecting Arabia to the Mediterranean for the trade of incense and spices. Each route played a crucial role in cultural exchange, the spread of goods, and the development of civilizations.
The Trans-Saharan journey varied in length depending on the specific route taken, but it typically spanned about 1,500 to 2,000 miles. Travelers could take several months to complete the journey, with the duration influenced by factors such as the season, caravan size, and availability of resources. The journey was often undertaken on camelback, which was essential for traversing the harsh desert conditions.
A trans-siberian air route is a no-stop travel between Europe and Japan or/and Korea.
1,150 km taking this route:Take (Trans-Canada) AUTOROUTE 20 - EST (towards QUÉBEC), from Montréal, to AUTOROUTE 85/ROUTE 185 (Trans-Canada Hwy) towards EDMUNDSTON, N. - B. at SORTIE (Exit) 499.Take AUTOROUTE 85/ROUTE 185 (Trans-Canada) to NEW BRUNSWICK, where the Trans-Canada Highway continues as ROUTE 2 - EAST.Continue on (Trans-Canada) ROUTE 2 - EAST to TRANS-CANADA ROUTE 16 to P.E.I. at EXIT 513B, past Moncton.Take TRANS-CANADA ROUTE 16 to the CONFEDERACY BRIDGE (toll bridge), to cross into P.E.I.Once you are in P.E.I., follow TRANS-CANADA ROUTE 1 - EAST to Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The Sahara is in North Africa
The trans-Siberian.
The Sahara desert, bandits, the sun, sand storms, the heat, dehydration, your camel dieing, ets.. Come on, you can think of some yourself.