Baghdad, Iraq

City situated where it commands the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Istanbul, Turkey

City situated where it commands the strait and land bridge between Asia and Europe.

Mecca

City in Saudi Arabia situated at a religious focal point

Varanasi

City in India situated at a religious focal point

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

and Xi’an, China

Cities situated along the Silk Road trade route

Timbuktu

City situated along the Trans Saharan trade route

Singapore

City on the Malay Peninsula that's along the maritime trade route

Cape Town, South Africa

City situated as a supply station for ships traveling from Asia to Europe

Omaha, Nebraska and Sacramento, California

Cities situated along the Transcontinental Railroad in the United States

Novosibirsk and Vladivostok

Cites situated along the Trans Siberian Railroad in Russia