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Reference.org
Maritime history
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<p>Maritime history is the study of human interaction with and activity at sea. It covers a broad thematic element of <a href="/facts/History/bSKgXaCA">history</a> that often uses a global approach, although national and regional histories remain predominant. As an academic subject, it often crosses the boundaries of standard <a href="/facts/Academic_discipline/pKoQHpYL">disciplines</a>, focusing on understanding humankind's various relationships to the oceans, <a href="/facts/List_of_seas/FN5pXXrv">seas</a>, and major <a href="/facts/Waterway/F0cpQUNN">waterways</a> of the globe. <a href="/facts/Nautical/pztacend">Nautical</a> history records and interprets past events involving ships, shipping, navigation, and seafarers. </p><p>Maritime history is the broad overarching subject that includes <a href="/facts/Fishing/EBVEPvhI">fishing</a>, <a href="/facts/Whaling/rvUqYp0E">whaling</a>, international <a href="/facts/Maritime_law/uejBUJVs">maritime law</a>, <a href="/facts/Naval_history/Wtc3fJYw">naval history</a>, the history of <a href="/facts/Ship/418ptx1L">ships</a>, ship design, <a href="/facts/Shipbuilding/XLy9lj1W">shipbuilding</a>, the history of <a href="/facts/Navigation/sGGAJ0AQ">navigation</a>, the history of the various maritime-related sciences (<a href="/facts/Oceanography/LtrG6peD">oceanography</a>, <a href="/facts/Cartography/8YdDAAeX">cartography</a>, <a href="/facts/Hydrography/FP9yHxSv">hydrography</a>, etc.), sea exploration, maritime economics and trade, <a href="/facts/Shipping/0wYezNsU">shipping</a>, <a href="/facts/Yachting/qD0bmTED">yachting</a>, <a href="/facts/Seaside_resort/0zsU3svD">seaside resorts</a>, the history of <a href="/facts/Lighthouse/HAwW4RFW">lighthouses</a> and aids to navigation, maritime themes in literature, maritime themes in art, the social history of <a href="/facts/Sailor/6VMozk2z">sailors</a> and passengers and sea-related communities. There are a number of approaches to the field, sometimes divided into two broad categories: Traditionalists, who seek to engage a small audience of other academics, and Utilitarians, who seek to influence policy makers and a wider audience. </p>