Question

Where had 13th-century Italian explorer Marco Polo journeyed by land that revealed rich trading possibilities?

Answer 1

Marco Polo traveled by land to China, revealing rich trading possibilities with the East and influencing later European explorations and trade.

Step-by-step explanation:

The 13th-century Italian explorer Marco Polo journeyed extensively through the Mongol Empire, including traveling by land to China. In 1271, along with his father Niccolò and his uncle Maffeo, Marco Polo embarked on a voyage to the east, eventually reaching the court of Kublai Khan. Throughout their travels, the Polos were granted privileges such as free passage, lodgings, and horses thanks to a paiza, a golden tablet they possessed. Marco Polo's extensive travels and direct observations of the wealth and sophisticated products of China revealed the immense potential for trade with this distant civilization, highlighting the opportunities for luxury goods such as silk, spices, and porcelain. These revelations played a significant role in motivating later European exploration and trade expeditions, seeking to capitalize on the rich trade possibilities with the East.

Answer 2

Venice

Marco Polo had journey to Venice revealed rich trading activities; the city had grown to a maritime power which had gained reputation paving way for trading expeditions. Venice conducted intercontinental trade from the English channel to the Black sea at the European and Asian boarder and beyond. The city thrived as a port o exchange for goods and services with Mediterranean sea ports and served as a major port for Crusades to Palestine. Slaves, silk, pepper, dyes, furs, cotton, peacock-feathers, slaves, and timber were exported to Venice, whose merchants turned around and traded them to places across Europe.