View of the highest mountain in Japan, Mount Fuji, and Chureito Pagoda

The Mongols were nomadic herders who lived in Central Asia. Under their fierce leader, Genghis Khan, the Mongols grew to become the largest land empire in history. The Mongols are best remembered for expansion through conquest, but they also established trade of products and cultural exchanges between Europe and Asia.

The island nation of Japan has enjoyed a level of isolation and protection for most of its existence. The Japanese were close enough to mainland Asia to be influenced by others, but far enough away to be reasonably safe from invasion. Buddhism, a system of writing, and the pagoda-style of architecture, all came to Japan as influences from China. However, Shinto originated in Japan, and has remained an ethnically unique religion to the country.

Long-distance land and maritime trade connected people across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe with diverse foods, commodities, and technologies. In addition, travelers along the trade routes exchanged ideas and religions. While the most significant land route for trade were the Silk Roads, the Indian Ocean was the central body of water that connected peoples of the eastern hemisphere.