Trade routes are paths or networks used for the exchange of goods and services between different regions or countries. These routes can be over land, such as the Silk Road, or over water, like the Mediterranean Sea trade routes. They have been essential for economic development, allowing cultures to share products, ideas, and technologies. Historically, trade routes have connected various civilizations, facilitating the movement of valuable items like spices, textiles, and precious metals. The establishment of these routes often led to the growth of cities and the rise of powerful empires, as seen with the Roman Empire and the Mongol Empire.