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Sri Lanka

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1st attested Chinese to visit Swahili Coast

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India

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lions, leopards, camels, ostriches, etc.-Zheng He

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lions, leopards, camels, ostriches, etc.-Zheng He

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Africa

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Nanjing

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Yarkand

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Trabzon

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Province of Pem

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Mongols

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Badakhshan, Afghanistan

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Islam was the center for medicine and science. The Post-Classical Period was a time when Muslims had many medical advances.

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The invention of the compass allowed for merchants and travelers to navigate more efficiently because the compass provided direction. This Chinese innovation improved sea travel.

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Dhow ships originated in China and were used by Muslim merchants for traveling along water routes through the Indian Ocean. They could transport goods along water routes.

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Like porcelain, silk was also a Chinese luxury item that was traded along the Silk Road and the Indian Ocean. This Chinese innovation brought wealth to China because it was expensive and in high demand.

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Similar to gold, salt also originated in West Africa and was traded through the Trans-Saharan trade routes. The tax on salt brought wealth to empires in West Africa during the Post-Classical period.

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The astrolabe was a Greek invention, however Muslim scholars advanced it. The astrolabe helped with navigation because it calculated the position of the sun/stars. This shows the Muslim scholars were great navigators and knew astronomy.

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Cotton textiles originated from India and was trade along the Indian Ocean water routes. Cotton textiles were used for clothing.

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Porcelain was a Chinese luxury item that was in high demand during the Post-Classical Era and was traded along the Silk Road and the Indian Ocean. Porcelain was used for plates, bowls, pots, cups, and decoration.

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Gold was a main item that came from West Africa and was traded through the Trans-Saharan Trade Routes. Empires such as Mali, Ghana, and Songhai taxed the trade on gold, which made these empires flourish.

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Today, I arrived in Cairo, Egypt by the caravan.

I first noticed that it was very lively and crowded with people, camels, and donkeys filling the streets. I noticed many mosques, colleges, hospitals, and convents.

The thing I was impressed with the most was their care for the poor and sick! I visited hospitals and noticed the great care they gave their sick patients. These hospitals demonstrated charity which is one of the 5 Pillars of Islam.

I plan on staying here for a month and then heading to Mecca.

I will keep you updated so stay tuned for more!

Noelle Nguyen,
1326 CE

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Today I arrived in Damascus. As I have been traveling through the Syrian Desert on the camel route, I have encountered a terrible plague! I have been trying to avoid this Bubonic Plague, AKA Black Death, but everywhere I go the plague is there.

In Damascus, where I am right now, 2,000 people die each day! All day,  people pray to God that the plague will go away. I have learned that this plague is very deadly and is extremely contagious. This plague is ruining cities!

I am planning on leaving and going to Cairo soon.

I will keep you updated!

Noelle Nguyen,
December 1348 CE

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Today, I arrived at the port of Quanzhou in China after 40 days of sailing!

The first thing I noticed was the silk clothing everyone was wearing. I also noticed the beautiful pottery made from porcelain. Although everything is very beautiful, it is hard for me to understand and appreciate the Chinese culture because it is so difference than Islamic culture!

I visited Beijing, the capital of China and then went to Hangzhou where I met a rich Muslim trader. I stayed with him for a couple weeks.
Now I am soon going back to Morocco!

Noelle Nguyen,
1346 CE