Final answer:
Marco Polo was an explorer who created the first route from Europe to China and shared his experiences in his book, inspiring subsequent explorations and expanding European knowledge of Asia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Marco Polo was the first European who made a route across Asia to China, and his vivid descriptions of the region introduced Europeans to a variety of previously unknown Asian lands and cultures. His book The Travels of Marco Polo, also known as The Description of the World, detailed his journey to the court of Kublai Khan and has been influential for centuries, inspiring other explorers such as Christopher Columbus.
In the passage, the italicized portion emphasizes the impact that Marco Polo's discoveries had on Europe, stirring up interest and prompting further exploration. By describing various continents, their customs, and animals like the reindeer and white bear, Polo's accounts contributed to the European Age of Exploration.
A summary of the passage would highlight Marco Polo's groundbreaking role in establishing a route to China and revealing the rich diversity of Asia to the European world. His work had a profound impact on future explorations and the global perception of the vast and intriguing lands beyond Europe.
A suitable title for the passage might be The Legacy of Marco Polo.