Read the map. A map titled Silk Road, circa 1st Century C E. A key shows Land Routes with a red line and Sea Routes with a blue line. Red lines travel east to west through China, India, Persia, Egypt, Somalia, Greece, and parts of Europe. Blue lines travel through the Pacific Ocean, Yellow Sea, East China Sea, South China Sea, along the coasts of China, India, Persia, Arabia, Somalia.

What was a major benefit of the Silk Road?

It created a unified economy across all of Asia.
It shortened travel time between China and Europe for traders.
It connected the countries to the north of China for travel and trade.
It encouraged trade between China and countries on other continents.