<P> A large fleet of new junk ships was prepared for these international diplomatic expeditions . The largest of these junks--that the Chinese termed bao chuan (treasure ships)--may have measured 121 metres (400 feet) stem to stern, and thousands of sailors were involved . The first expedition departed in 1405 . At least seven well - documented expeditions were launched, each bigger and more expensive than the last . The fleets visited Arabia, East Africa, India, Malay Archipelago and Thailand (at the time called Siam), exchanging goods along the way . They presented gifts of gold, silver, porcelain and silk; in return, received such novelties as ostriches, zebras, camels, ivory and giraffes . After the emperor's death, Zheng He led a final expedition departing from Nanking in 1431 and returning to Beijing in 1433 . It is very likely that this last expedition reached as far as Madagascar . The travels were reported by Ma Huan, a Muslim voyager and translator who accompanied Zeng He on three of the seven expeditions, his account published as "Ying - Yai Sheng - Lam" (Overall Survey of the Ocean's Shores) (1433) </P> <P> These long distance journeys were not followed up, as the Chinese Ming dynasty retreated in the haijin, a policy of isolationism, having limited maritime trade . Travels were halted abruptly after the emperor's death, as the Chinese lost interest in what they termed barbarian lands turning inward, and successor emperors felt the expeditions were harmful to the Chinese state; Hongxi Emperor ended further expeditions and Xuande Emperor suppressed much of the information about Zheng He's voyages . </P> <P> From the 8th century until the 15th century, the Republic of Venice and neighbouring maritime republics held the monopoly of European trade with the Middle East . The silk and spice trade, involving spices, incense, herbs, drugs and opium, made these Mediterranean city - states phenomenally rich . Spices were among the most expensive and demanded products of the Middle Ages, as they were used in medieval medicine, religious rituals, cosmetics, perfumery, as well as food additives and preservatives . They were all imported from Asia and Africa . </P> <P> Muslim traders--mainly descendants of Arab sailors from Yemen and Oman--dominated maritime routes throughout the Indian Ocean, tapping source regions in the Far East and shipping for trading emporiums in India, mainly Kozhikode, westward to Ormus in the Persian Gulf and Jeddah in the Red Sea . From there, overland routes led to the Mediterranean coasts . Venetian merchants distributed the goods through Europe until the rise of the Ottoman Empire, that eventually led to the fall of Constantinople in 1453, barring Europeans from important combined - land - sea routes . </P>

What role did florida play in the age of exploration