In The Footsteps of Marco Polo

Who He IsMarco Polo was born in Venice, Italy in 1254. His father was a merchant, who had travelled the Silk Road to China with his brother when Marco was 9. They went to find spices, jewels and silk to bring back to Venice and sell. They had met the Emperor Kublai Khan and promised him they would return.

Why he set off to exploreIn 1271, Marco Polo’s father and uncle began their

journey back to China and brought the 17 year old Marco with them. They went in search of profit and adventure.

They had a special gold pass from the Kublai Khan from their first journey, which granted them safe passage, lodgings and horses when they needed them.

What He DidIt took Marco and his family three years to travel into China further than any European had ever gone before. They worked for the Emperor as a messenger and a spy, and visited many interesting cities.

How He TraveledHe sailed from Venice to the Middle East, then he traveled by land through deserts and mountains through

Mongolia and China.He had a caravan of camels, carts and donkeys.

Interesting FactsMarco Polo was gone for 24 years.He had to ask the Emperor Khan’s

permission to leave several times, and he made him travel home by ship with a Mongol princess who was supposed to marry a Persian Emperor.

When Marco returned home he went to prison during a war in Italy, which is when he transcribed his book “The Travels of Marco Polo”.

AccomplishmentsMarco Polo told people about things he had seen during his travels, like coal, gunpowder, paper money, and silk. His book made Europeans interested in trading with China and the Far East. He inspired other explorers like Christopher Columbus.

ConclusionsMarco Polo died in 1324 at age 70. He is

considered one of the greatest explorers. His system for mapping distances between kingdoms by measuring days’ journeys turned out to be accurate and helpful to future explorers.

He met his goal, which was to gain profit and to have exciting adventures.

Fun FactsMarco Polo did not bring pasta to Italy from

China. This is a myth!An airport and several ships in the Italian

navy are named after him.Children around the world like to play Marco-

Polo in the pool.

References"Kids Biography: Marco Polo." Ducksters.

Technological Solutions, Inc. (TSI), Jan. 2012. Web. 17 Jan. 2012. http://www.ducksters.com/biography/marco_polo.php

Marco Polo and His Travels, Silkroad Foundation, 1997-2000. http://www.silk-road.com/artl/marcopolo.shtml

Marco Polo, Encyclopedia of World Biography, http://www.notablebiographies.com/Pe-Pu/Polo-Marco.html

Author of PowerPoint

Arianna Paisan