This is the first comprehensive encyclopedia on the history of the vast and varied ways human beings have used the world's waterways for business, protection, and recreation. Seas and Waterways of the World: An Encyclopedia of History, Uses, and Issues offers a comprehensive introduction to humanity's historical reliance on the world's seas and waterways and how that reliance continues to evolve. Over the course of two volumes, this extraordinary resource describes the world's major nautical features, the wide variety of uses for those waterways, and a number of essential issues arising from water-borne commerce. The encyclopedia marks the emergence of the aquarium, cruise, energy, fishing, insurance, mining, trade, transportation, recreation, and sport industries, and includes entries on harbors, ports, and coastal development that play a part in the economics of commercial water use. Also included is coverage of a number of significant themes such as the rise and fall of the Erie Canal as the gateway to the Midwest, and the declining popularity of the Panama Canal.

Water covers more than two-thirds of Earth's surface! For thousands of years, people have used this vast natural resource in many inventive ways. Find out how rivers and canals have transformed our lives. (Back cover)

How can countries revive inland waterway transportation? A study of how and why China improved its inland waterways for transportation can be informative for other countries, providing relevant insights and valuable lessons.

A history of our time.