the eastern hemisphere developed long distance trade more widely than the western hemisphere due to its geography, caste system giving them a chance to progress , and Empress Wu. Zhao. their geography was one of the main reasons they were so successful in long distance trade because of the recourses they had and the steppe. The Eastern Hemisphere thrived more in long-distance trade because its geography provided them with better resources and landscapes for trade. Horses, for example, were an item of trade that everyone wanted because they didn't have them in the Western Hemisphere, they only had them in the Eastern Hemisphere. In the Eastern Hemisphere, they had better trade because of the resources they could cultivate and the native animals. They also had the geography necessary for long-distance trade. The steppe was the ideal place for the Silk Roads because of its landscape and location. The Silk Roads were opened during the Han Dynasty when the emperor visited the various rulers on the future trade route and opened routes. They also had maritime trade routes in the Indian Ocean. This allowed them to trade with people they could not previously reach by land. Additionally, transportation costs were lower on sea routes than on the Silk Roads because ships could make larger and heavier journeys than camels. This meant that sea routes could eventually transport heavier goods and products sold in large quantities, such as textiles, pepper, timber, rice, sugar and wheat. While the Silk Roads could only provide trade items for a lower amount. India was the center of these maritime trade routes, but not the Silk Roads. Without these trade routes, the Eastern Hemisphere would not have thrived in long-distance trade as it did. The caste system...... middle of paper ...... in order to become officers, helped in trade because they now had good protection, this also allowed talented citizens from the lower classes to become high-level officers (editor’s note). She made Buddhism the official religion of China so that the people would believe that the emperor's power was imposed by God. Making people feel that by opposing the government, they were also betraying their religion. Wu Zhao was a powerful empress and by reforming the government, making Buddhism the official religion, and preventing the Tujue and Tufan from invading, she helped develop long-distance trade in the Eastern Hemisphere. Trade in the Eastern Hemisphere flourished for three main reasons. these reasons were geography, the ability to progress through the caste system and their political leader Wu Zhao and all the progress she made. Without geography, business is unlikely to be very successful.