Orient Express
Topic: World Transport and Communication · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 7 "Transport and Communication"
Meaning
The Orient Express is a rail route from Paris to Istanbul. It passes through Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, Budapest and Belgrade. It started in 1883. It cut the journey from London to Istanbul to 96 hours, compared with 10 days by sea. It carried cheese, bacon, oats, wine, fruit and machinery, linking Western Europe with the Balkans and Turkey.
Example
A train leaving Paris would cross France, Germany, Austria, Hungary and Serbia to reach Istanbul in Turkey, at the meeting point of Europe and Asia.
Don't confuse with
- Trans-Asian Railway: a proposed line that would start at Istanbul and run east to Bangkok through Iran, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. The Orient Express ends at Istanbul and runs west to Paris.
Related concepts
- Trans-continental railway
- Trans-Siberian Railway
- Trans-Canadian Railway
- Union and Pacific Railway
- Australian Trans-Continental Railway
- Trans-Asian Railway