You are the owner of a large sailing ship. You sail around the world and trade goods with other countries. A Genoese investor has agreed to pay for your next trip if you can bring back a profit and, hopefully, goods that he can sell to local merchants. If for any reason you do not return with a profit, he has the right to back out of the deal, and you'll be stuck paying for everything. Before you sail from your home port in Lisbon, Portugal, you will need to make several important decisions about how to prepare for your journey and what route to take. If you succeed, you will be extremely wealthy and will cement your reputation as a spice trader, ensuring that more rich investors come your way. But if you fail, you may go bankrupt and lose your ship, not to mention ruin your reputation. Note: The standard of currency in most of western Europe during the Renaissance was the gold florin. However, the value amounts used in this activity are fictional.   Home | Catalog | About Us | Search | Contact Us | Site Map © 1997-2010 Annenberg Media. All rights reserved. Legal Policy

The Habitable Planet This course will guide viewers through topics including the atmosphere, oceans, and ecosystems, as well as the impact of human activities and population growth on water and food resources, biodiversity, energy use, and global pollution. Each of the 13 programs in the series includes two case studies featuring the work of top scientists in the field.