The Origins of Spatial Interaction / Wolfgang Keller, Carol H. Shiue.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Keller, Wolfgang.

Contributor:

National Bureau of Economic Research.

Shiue, Carol H.

Series:

Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w10069.

NBER working paper series no. w10069

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2003.

Summary:

Geography shapes economic outcomes in a major way. This paper uses spatial empirical methods to detect and analyze trade patterns in a historical data set on Chinese rice prices. Our results suggest that spatial features were important for the expansion of interregional trade. Geography dictates, first, over what distances trade was possible in different regions, because the costs of ship transport were considerably below those for land transport. Spatial features also influence the direction in which a trading network is expanding. Moreover, our analysis captures the impact of new trade routes both within and outside the trading areas. We also discuss the long-run implications this might have.

Notes:

Print version record

November 2003.