- Hope you’re aware I’m not saying some major parts of Europe are totally disconnected from Central Europe. That’s not the case.
There were trafficked (land) routes between Central Europe and the Italian and Iberian peninsulas before the days of the Roman Empire (although perhaps not paved roads or anything like that).
Europe is indeed a part of the world that has accomplished much in this department.
One of the longest bridges of Europe is found in my home country, Sweden. It connects an Island with less than 25 000 inhabitants, Öland, to the Swedish mainland. It was built 35 years ago and is free of charge for all types of vehicles. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96land_bridge )
So, what’s the problem? Let’s build a tunnel/bridge connecting Southern Italy and Greece, a bridge across Fehmarn Belt (the water between Germany and South East Denmark island of Lolland. This is vital in the context of promoting German and Scandinavian trade, among other things), etc, etc.
If the Roman Empire could build majestic aqueducts supplying cities with a million inhabitants with fresh water that are still in use today (!), imagine what economies like those of South East Asia, Europe and North America could build.
PS. The main problem concerning the Chunnel is the heavy fees. If they were reduced by say, 80%, I think Britain, France and the whole of Europe would benefit much, much more from it.
Regards.
Later than the Roman period, but the Muslims pushed through the Carcassone Gap and as far as Tours before they were stopped by Charles the Great.
One of the longest bridges of Europe is found in my home country, Sweden. It connects an Island with less than 25 000 inhabitants, Öland, to the Swedish mainland.
We'd call that pork in America. On the other hand, the new bridge from Denmark to Malmo was probably a useful feat of engineering, and should provide an adequate connection between Germany and Scandanavia.
The longest bridge in America is more than 6 times longer than the Oland bridge.