By the 15th century, more and more merchants were traveling by sea, which proved to be a safer, faster, and cheaper way to trade goods—contributing to the decline of the Silk Road. Still, these ancient trails have had a lasting impact on the interconnected world we know today.
In fact, a series of infrastructure projects that have drawn comparisons to the Silk Road are now underway. Since 2013, China has been helping to fund the construction of seaports, railways, roads, and telecommunications networks throughout Asia, Europe, and Africa in part to help facilitate trade.
The project, which international leaders expect to be completed by 2049, is officially called the Belt and Road Initiative. But its fitting nickname? The New Silk Road.