The Indian Ocean routes refer to a complex network of maritime trade routes that connected various regions surrounding the Indian Ocean, including East Africa, Arabia, India, Southeast Asia, and China. These routes facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between different civilizations.
Related terms
Silk Road: A land-based trade route that connected China with Europe through Central Asia. It played a significant role in promoting cultural exchange and the trading of various goods such as silk, spices, and precious metals.
Trans-Saharan Trade: An extensive network of trade routes across the Sahara Desert that linked West Africa with North Africa and the Mediterranean world. It facilitated exchanges of gold, salt, ivory, textiles, and other commodities.
Mediterranean Sea Routes: Maritime trade routes connecting civilizations around the Mediterranean Sea during ancient times. These routes enabled trade in commodities such as olives, wine, grain, pottery, and luxury items like glassware and jewelry.