The Hanseatic league, which is also known as Hansa, was a large organization of merchants that thrived within their market towns along the coast of Northern Europe. Hansa's reign lasted for 300 plus years and included 170 cities. The league started in the German city of Lubeck, stretching from the Baltic to the North Sea. One of the main trade routes that was utilized by the Hanseatic league was called the "Salt Road". Salt was a very sought after by the merchants to preserve their goods which is why the salt road was a common trade path. The salt road wasn't a path between Keil (where the salt was mined) and Lubeck as many would think but rather it was a path between Hamburg and Lubeck. This trading road was extremely dangerous for the merchants which is why they made a point to always travel in larger groups. Yes, the road was a risk but it was a risk these traders had to take in order to be successful. This traveling together allowed for alliances on the road and at home as well. In hindsight, without the salt road, the Hanseatic league or Hansa may not have been the success it was.
Sources: http://www.historytoday.com/stephen-halliday/first-common-market-hanseatic-league
http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=41994
Date Visited: 10-17-14
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