The Indian Ocean trading network refers to a vast system of maritime trade routes that connected different regions around the Indian Ocean basin from 1200 to 1450. It facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures between Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Related terms
Silk Road: An ancient overland trade route that connected East Asia with the Mediterranean region. It facilitated cultural exchange and commerce between China, Central Asia, and Europe.
Swahili city-states: A series of independent coastal cities along East Africa's Swahili Coast. They thrived due to their involvement in long-distance trade with the Indian Ocean network.
Monsoon winds: Seasonal winds that blew predictably across the Indian Ocean. Sailors used these winds for navigation and timing their journeys along the trading routes.