The Birth of Consumer Trade in the Middle East During the Ottoman Empire

Prior to the inventions of planes, trains and automobiles, the most efficient way to transport products was by sea. This is the reason why so many of the most famous cities in the world can be found situated near water. Founding cities near water was originally done for pure survival reasons, but as civilization began its march water became just as important a commodity in the process of trade and trade as we know it today was practically invented by Muslims in that area we today refer to as the Middle East. During the 10^th century the bustling city of Cairo, Egypt as a result of its prominent position in relation to the Red Sea. That geographical mix that we call the Middle East is now viewed as a powderkeg of religious intolerance on all sides ready to explode, but at one time it was fascinating crossroad where west met east to trade products, cultures and tradition.

The primary traders at this time were Persian, Arabic and Judaic merchants using Arab ships to sent goods as far away as China. Although the sea was the preferred medium for sending consumer goods, it wasn't always practical. When the destination couldn't be reached by those Arab ships, camels and mules were recruited. Perhaps this where camels got their ships of the desert nickname. It was much less complicated to trade eastward from the Mediterranean than westward because much of Europe was still devastated as a result of the intermittent bouts of the Black Plague as well the damage accrued from war between neighboring states. Both the plague and war resulted in much of Europe being incapable of exporing or importing to the degree that countries to the east of could handle. The Byzantine Empire had also restricted mercantile trade over the waters and all of this combined to center the primary trade route of the period in Tunisia since it was offered the easiest access between Spain and Egypt. It was this trade route that send Spanish silk, African Gold, and olive oil all across the Mediterranean region.