fur trading routes

Fur trading routes historically connected North America's interior regions with trading posts along the coasts and rivers. Traders traveled from important hubs like Montreal or Hudson Bay, navigating rivers, lakes, and sometimes overland trails to reach fur-rich areas. They exchanged goods such as firearms, tools, and textiles for animal pelts, primarily beaver fur. These routes facilitated the movement of traders and goods across vast distances, shaping economic and cultural exchanges between Indigenous peoples and European settlers. Over time, routes shifted with geographic discoveries, incorporating waterways and land routes that enabled the extensive fur trade network across North America.