Introduction:
Marco Polo was an Italian traveller and explorer who is known for his extensive travels across Asia. He was born in Venice, Italy in 1254 and died on January 8, 1324.

Early Life:
Marco Polo was born into a wealthy merchant family in Venice. His father, Niccolò Polo, and uncle, Maffeo Polo, were merchants who had previously travelled to Asia. They returned to Venice when Marco was a child and took him with them on their second journey to Asia.

Travels:
Marco Polo travelled extensively throughout Asia with his father and uncle. They first travelled to the Black Sea, where they traded with the Mongols. They then travelled to Bukhara, in present-day Uzbekistan, where they met the Mongol ruler, Kublai Khan. Kublai Khan was impressed with the Polos and asked them to return to Venice to bring back Christian missionaries.

The Polos returned to Venice in 1269, but Marco stayed in Venice for several years before returning to Asia with his father and uncle. They travelled through present-day Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan before arriving in China. Marco spent 17 years in China, serving as an official in Kublai Khan's court. He travelled throughout China and also visited present-day Vietnam, Burma, and India.

Book:
When Marco Polo returned to Venice in 1295, he was captured by the Genoese during a battle. While in prison, he dictated his travels to a fellow prisoner, Rustichello da Pisa. The book, titled "The Travels of Marco Polo," became a bestseller and introduced Europeans to the wonders of Asia.

Legacy:
Marco Polo's travels and writings had a significant impact on European exploration and trade with Asia. His descriptions of the wealth and culture of China and other Asian countries inspired many Europeans to seek out new trade routes to Asia. His book also helped to dispel many of the myths and legends that had surrounded Asia in European minds.