---
title: Map of the Spread of the Black Death, c. 1346–1353: Trade, Transmission & the Second Plague Pandemic
author: Simeon Netchev
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12038/map-of-the-spread-of-the-black-death-c-1346-1353/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2026-09-29
---

# Map of the Spread of the Black Death, c. 1346–1353: Trade, Transmission & the Second Plague Pandemic

_Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_

## Image File

[![Map of the Spread of the Black Death, c. 1346–1353: Trade, Transmission & the Second Plague Pandemic](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/12038.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/12038.png)

## Image Caption

The [Black Death](https://www.worldhistory.org/Black_Death/) was the catastrophic first great wave of the Second [Plague](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/plague/) Pandemic, caused by the bacterium *Yersinia pestis*. Ancient DNA links its pandemic lineage to an outbreak near Lake Issyk-Kul in Central Asia in 1338–39. By the mid-1340s plague had reached the western Eurasian steppe and Black Sea region, and from 1347 it spread rapidly through interconnected maritime and overland networks into the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/), [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/), North [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/), and the Middle East. Rather than moving as a single continuous front, outbreaks often leapfrogged between commercial centers and ports before spreading into their surrounding hinterlands.

Between 1346 and the early 1350s, plague caused one of the most severe demographic catastrophes in recorded history. Estimates vary considerably, but perhaps 30–50% of Europe's population died, with mortality differing sharply between regions and communities. The resulting population collapse disrupted [agriculture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Agriculture/) and commerce, intensified labor shortages, altered relationships between workers and landholders, and generated profound social, religious, political, and cultural responses. Recurrent plague outbreaks continued for centuries, making the Black [Death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) not an isolated disaster but the opening phase of a much longer historical pandemic.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/)

## External Links

- [Medieval Trade Routes Map](https://easyzoom.com/image/218139)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Netchev, S. (2026, September 29). Map of the Spread of the Black Death, c. 1346–1353: Trade, Transmission & the Second Plague Pandemic. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12038/map-of-the-spread-of-the-black-death-c-1346-1353/>
### Chicago
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Spread of the Black Death, c. 1346–1353: Trade, Transmission & the Second Plague Pandemic." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 29, 2026. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12038/map-of-the-spread-of-the-black-death-c-1346-1353/>.
### MLA
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Spread of the Black Death, c. 1346–1353: Trade, Transmission & the Second Plague Pandemic." *World History Encyclopedia*, 29 Sep 2026, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12038/map-of-the-spread-of-the-black-death-c-1346-1353/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 29 September 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.