The article talks about what a road is, what kinds of roads it can be. What is the importance of message paths? What old roads have survived to this day?
Ancient times
Since time immemorial, when the first settlements and cities arose, people have realized the importance of reliable roads. A particularly strong need for them appeared with the development of trade relations and military operations, as was the case in the Roman Empire.
Initially, all roads were of natural origin and unpaved, formed during trampling of the surface. By the way, similar ones are still preserved all over the world. However, they became unusable when the climatic conditions changed (rain, winter). Yes, and the movement itself was not as lively as it is in our days: often the roads are clogged over with trite. What does the road mean if you turn to the dictionary? What is its significance besides ease of movement? When did the first stone roads arise? We will talk about this in the article.
What is a road: definition
According to encyclopedic terminology, a road is a communication route for people or vehicles, which for the most part forms a developed infrastructure.
Naturally, the very first dirt roads could not be preserved, we do not know anything about them. But among the artificial ones are the paths found on the territory of modern England and Mesopotamia, their approximate age dates back to the 4th millennium BC. e. Once again, one of the oldest is considered to be a road discovered in England, called the Sweet Track. She survived because they built it by laying on the ground trunks of oak, ash and maple. Now we know what a road is. By the way, the roads of ancient Moscow were paved with a similar method. As rot and decay, a new layer was applied. There is an assumption that some areas of the city are due to this several meters higher.
The need for reliable means of communication arose not just because of the desire to travel easily and cheerfully without looking underfoot, but because of the development of truck transport. And by the way, analyzing the question of what a road is, an interesting fact should be mentioned. The width of the Roman roads that were built in Europe was calculated on a war chariot, and this parameter became decisive for future highways. Some of them have survived to the present day, for example, on the remains of the ancient city of Pompeii.
Almost two millennia after the invention of the steam engine, such a way of transportation as the railroad became widespread.
The trains
In the United States in 1830, a little later, the first railways began to appear in the Russian Empire. In our country, the first line stretched from St. Petersburg to Tsarskoye Selo. But what is the reason for such an expensive construction method?
The thing is that at that time, and even today, such roads are considered one of the most reliable. Even at the beginning of a new era, the cost of transportation of goods was quite low on the first primitive locomotives. Moreover, in conditions when long trips could be carried out only by carts or ships, railway tracks were a real revolution. So now we know what a road is, including railroad, and what is its importance.
To this day, despite the development of air traffic and the improvement of highways, trains remain an important strategic and economic factor. They are unpretentious in the form of fuel, and if necessary, even old steam locomotives come into action , which can do with coal and water alone.
There is a railway in all states, and for a number of underdeveloped it is almost the only way to move ordinary people around the country and transport goods. And in India, by the way, passengers climb even onto the roofs of cars, which is why they often die.
Famous Railways
Probably the most famous such road is the Trans-Siberian Railway, which stretches across our entire country. She is also the longest in the world. Also worth mentioning is the grand construction of BAM - the Baikal-Amur Railway.
Car roads
With the wide development of motor vehicles at the beginning of the 20th century, the need arose for high-quality and smooth roads. After all, where the horse and cart could go, the car could get bogged down in the mud. Yes, and poor coverage contributed to the rapid wear of engine parts and suspension.
Road threads envelop almost the entire globe where there is land. But the seas are not a problem, in this case long bridges come to the rescue.
Roads can also be paid: money is collected in order to limit the amount of "excess" transport and constantly maintain the asphalt road in good condition, without waiting for municipal repairs.
There is also a division into general roads and expressways. The latter are distinguished by several lanes, the absence of obstacles in the form of tram tracks and railway crossings.