The Origin of the Oceans and Continents:  Earth looked quite different in the past than it does today.   Over millions of years, a series of complex geological processes transformed the surface of the earth into its present form.  Recent discoveries have clarified our understanding of those processes, and we are the first generation in history to completely understand the forces and events that created the oceans and continents.

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Civilization and the Sea:  The maritime world played a central role in the birth and evolution of our civilization.  Human societies have a legacy of thousands of years of seaborne exploration, commerce, and settlement.  This heritage is deeply imbedded in our culture and is reflected in our language, religion, and virtually every other aspect of our lives. 

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The Maritime Republics::  During the Middle Ages, wealthy merchants funded navies to defend coastal cities from attack.  In Italy and Dalmatia, these merchants became exceptionally powerful and their cities became known as maritime republics. Four of the most successful republics, Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa, and Venice. played important roles in the Crusades.  In turn, the Crusades opened lucrative Eastern markets that allowed the Maritime Republics cities to become even more wealthy and powerful.

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The Age of Exploration:  Also known as the Age of Discovery, officially began in the early 15th century, when several European countries began launching extensive sea voyages.  These expeditions led to the discovery of new islands and archipelagos in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.  Countries established new trade routes, colonies, and empires, and ultimately acquired a more complete understanding of the world.

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Maritime Commerce and the Origins of Globalization:  Globalization is the process of integration resulting from increasingly rapid movement of people, products, ideas, and culture around the world.  Many factors have contributed to this process, but international trade, especially maritime commerce, has historically been the constant driving force and connecting cultures and civilizations.

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The Land Divides - The Sea Connects:  The oceans and seas have always connected cultures and civilizations.  Where natural water passages were not readily available, humans created canals, waterways, and bridges to connect towns and villages.  In the 21st century, supply chains are the new connections, expanding across the oceans, and binding the world into a global community.

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Borders and Connections in the Maritime World:  For centuries, borders have separated cultures and civilizations.  These borders were exclusive, intended to keep “others” out.  Networks of supply chains are now being established across borders.  These networks, predominantly located in the maritime environment, are inclusive, connecting old enemies and new friends into a more stable, peaceful global society.