Department or Program
Economics
Abstract
In this thesis, I study the effect of past Silk Route location on modern highway locations, levels of nighttime light intensity, and population density. Using GIS techniques I created spatially accurate maps of the Silk Road trading network, thus allowing me to analyze the effect of route presence on a highly localized level. I find that proximity to a Silk Route 2,000 years ago is associated with higher levels of nighttime light intensity and population density today, as well as a higher likelihood of highway access. Furthermore, proximity to medieval routes has more of an effect on nighttime light intensity, population density, and highway access than proximity to the ancient routes, thus indicating that the effect of route presence diminishes over time.
Level of Access
Restricted: Embargoed [Bates Community After Expiration]
First Advisor
Chicoine, Luke
Date of Graduation
5-2019
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Recommended Citation
Ahmad, Zofia, "The Road to Riches: Quantifying the Persistent Effects of the Silk Roads Network" (2019). Honors Theses. 380.
https://scarab.bates.edu/honorstheses/380
Number of Pages
52