Which world culture was responsible for the most global trading approximately 1000 years ago?

The Islamic culture played a significant role in global trading approximately 1000 years ago, particularly during the medieval period when the Islamic Empire was at its height. This period, known as the Islamic Golden Age, was characterized by vast trade networks that extended from Europe to Asia and Africa. The Islamic traders and merchants established critical trade routes, such as the Silk Road and maritime routes across the Indian Ocean, facilitating cultural exchanges and the movement of goods like silk, spices, and precious metals.

Islamic cities, such as Baghdad, Cairo, and Cordoba, became vibrant centers of commerce, learning, and culture, attracting traders from various backgrounds, including Europeans and Asians. The introduction of innovations such as the astrolabe for navigation and the establishment of banking and credit systems also enhanced trade efficiency.

In contrast, while Chinese culture had its own rich history of trade and exploration, particularly through the use of the Silk Road, the extensive and integrated global trading system at that time was predominantly facilitated by Islamic traders. European trading activities were still growing in prominence but had not yet reached the same level of global integration. Indigenous cultures were primarily localized and not part of the expansive trade networks that connected disparate regions across the globe.