Northwest Passage
The sea route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic Ocean
Real World Example
The Northwest Passage was a sea route explorers hoped to find to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Arctic, which was mostly covered by ice. In history, it was important because it represented the desire for faster trade routes and motivated technological advancements in shipbuilding and navigation. Although it was mostly impassable due to ice, the search for it spurred exploration and expansion into new territories. To the people then, it symbolized opportunity, adventure, and the potential for wealth through trade. Today, the spirit behind the search for the Northwest Passage can be seen in our drive for innovation, like developing faster internet technologies, which connects people and ideas globally, making everyday communication more efficient.