1. Marco Polo Theme: The expansion of new goods, new ideas, and new explorations

2. Info on him Marco Polo sailed across the world, traveling to the far east, observing the different cultures, religions, and goods in different eastern areas. Marco Polo sailed across the world, traveling to the far east, observing the different cultures, religions, and goods in different eastern areas. Traveling with his father Niccolò and his uncle Maffeo, Marco was one of the first Westerners to travel along Silk road to China. Traveling with his father Niccolò and his uncle Maffeo, Marco was one of the first Westerners to travel along Silk road to China.

3. Travel areas “Polo sailed south from Venice, Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea to the Middle East. They then went southeast overland to Persia (now Iran), then through the Pamir Mountains and the Gobi Desert, to Beijing, China. They explored the area south of Beijing, including Yunan and Szechuan. Returning to Beijing, they traveled east to Tankchow (at the mouth of the Yangtse River), then south to Hangchow, China. They then sailed south along the coast of China, to what are now Vietnam and Sumatra. They sailed west to Sri Lanka and India, and then back to Ormuz (on the Persian Gulf). They went northwest overland to the Black Sea, then the Mediterranean Sea, and back to Venice, Italy.” “Polo sailed south from Venice, Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea to the Middle East. They then went southeast overland to Persia (now Iran), then through the Pamir Mountains and the Gobi Desert, to Beijing, China. They explored the area south of Beijing, including Yunan and Szechuan. Returning to Beijing, they traveled east to Tankchow (at the mouth of the Yangtse River), then south to Hangchow, China. They then sailed south along the coast of China, to what are now Vietnam and Sumatra. They sailed west to Sri Lanka and India, and then back to Ormuz (on the Persian Gulf). They went northwest overland to the Black Sea, then the Mediterranean Sea, and back to Venice, Italy.” Basically traveled from Venice, Italy, to the Middle East, then China, then Southern Vietnam, then back. Basically traveled from Venice, Italy, to the Middle East, then China, then Southern Vietnam, then back.

4. Life story relating to personality trait Marco Polo was a curious and smart Italian traveler and merchant depicted though his journey to the far east and his precise record keepings in his book. As one of the first Westerners to travel the Silk Road, Marco was a boy of great interest for other cultural achievements. He was smart because a merchant with different, new merchandise would have his reputation known, thus more business. Marco Polo was a curious and smart Italian traveler and merchant depicted though his journey to the far east and his precise record keepings in his book. As one of the first Westerners to travel the Silk Road, Marco was a boy of great interest for other cultural achievements. He was smart because a merchant with different, new merchandise would have his reputation known, thus more business.

5. Why he represent his time period and this theme. Just one of many merchants in his time while a large merchant classed ruled over Italy. Exploration was becoming a trend in the new day and age. With a growing merchant class and demand for luxuries, such as silk and spices, a time of international trade occurred. Marco findings written in his book, Il Milione or The Travels of Marco Polo or Description of the World, became popular and read among nobility. His book may very well have inspired society’s curious travelers to search for the unknown areas of the vast world. Just one of many merchants in his time while a large merchant classed ruled over Italy. Exploration was becoming a trend in the new day and age. With a growing merchant class and demand for luxuries, such as silk and spices, a time of international trade occurred. Marco findings written in his book, Il Milione or The Travels of Marco Polo or Description of the World, became popular and read among nobility. His book may very well have inspired society’s curious travelers to search for the unknown areas of the vast world.

6. Impact Marco Polo's description of the Far East and its riches inspired Columbus’ decision attempt to reach those lands visited by Marco by a western route. Marco Polo's description of the Far East and its riches inspired Columbus’ decision attempt to reach those lands visited by Marco by a western route.

7. Travel Areas Website http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explor ers/page/p/polo.shtml http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explor ers/page/p/polo.shtml http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explor ers/page/p/polo.shtml http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explor ers/page/p/polo.shtml Brandon Rosenthal Brandon Rosenthal