The cultural diversity in the world can be attributed to several factors, including human migration, environmental influences, adaptation to local conditions, and historical events. While humans originated in Africa, they gradually spread to different parts of the world over tens of thousands of years. This led to the development of various cultures, languages, and traditions as groups of humans settled in different regions and adapted to their unique environments.
Human Migration: Early humans started moving out of Africa around 70,000 to 100,000 years ago. These migration waves spread humans across various continents, including Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. As they settled in different geographic locations, they were exposed to different environments and developed distinct cultural practices based on their needs and challenges.
Environmental Influences: The diverse landscapes and ecosystems across the world significantly influenced how different societies developed. For instance, communities living in deserts developed different customs and practices from those living in fertile river valleys or dense forests.
Adaptation to Local Conditions: As humans spread across the globe, they encountered different climates, resources, and flora/fauna. In order to survive and thrive, they had to adapt their lifestyles and cultures to suit the local conditions. This led to the development of varied traditions and ways of life.
Isolation and Trade Routes: The world's vastness and geographic barriers such as oceans, mountains, and deserts often isolated different human populations. This isolation allowed for independent cultural developments without much interaction. However, when trade routes were established, cultures also had opportunities to exchange ideas, technologies, and goods, leading to some cross-pollination of cultures.
Technological Advancements: Before the age of exploration, long-distance communication and travel were limited by technological capabilities. As a result, regions were often disconnected from each other, leading to a lack of awareness about distant civilizations.
Regarding the example of Europe discovering China in the 13th century, it is important to understand that this historical narrative reflects the perspective of recorded history and written records. The ancient world did have contacts and trade between different regions, but these interactions were often limited to specific groups, and knowledge about distant cultures might not have reached the broader population.
It was not until the Age of Exploration, starting in the late 15th century, that technological advancements in navigation and shipbuilding allowed for more extensive and sustained contact between previously isolated regions of the world. This era marked a significant turning point in global connectivity and the exchange of cultures and knowledge.
In summary, the cultural diversity of the world is a result of human migration, environmental factors, local adaptation, isolation, and limited long-distance communication until technological advancements facilitated more widespread contact and exchange between different civilizations.