Maritime Trade and Tariffs

By Alfonso Llanes
Maritime Trade and Tariffs

Historians tell us that between 1500 BC and 300 BC the Phoenicians a Semitic civilization that originated in the Eastern Mediterranean which included the coastline of what is now Lebanon, Israel, Gaza, Syria, and southwest Turkey dominated sea trade in the Mediterranean Sea. Later on some Phoenician colonies reached the Western Mediterranean (Carthage) and then the Atlantic Ocean. China with its multi-mast sailing junks used to carry over 200 people at around 200 AD. The Southeast Asian mariners, Polynesians, and Northern European Vikings during the same period developed oceangoing vessels. India and Arabia were building the lateen-sail ship known as the dhow that was used on the waters of the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf. The Arab Empire expanded a wide trade network across parts of Asia, Africa and Europe.

Download