What were Marco Polo's accomplishments?

Marco Polo is best known for his accomplishments as a world traveler and pioneer in expanding trade routes in Asia, including what is now called the Silk Road. Marco Polo was born in Europe in 1254 and traveled to China with his uncle and father, where he began traveling on expeditions commissioned by Khubilai Khan.

Marco Polo gained more notoriety than other European travelers due in part to his work authoring a book during a stint in a Genoese prison. Polo is eventually believed to have settled down with his wife and three children, although scholars think that he continued to be active in the trading community until his death in 1324.