Marco Polo was an Italian explorer and merchant famous for his travels to China. The document discusses Marco Polo's life, including his upbringing in Venice, his journeys along the Silk Road to China where he served the emperor Kublai Khan for 17 years, and his famous book describing his travels upon returning to Venice which inspired many later explorers. The presentation provides details on Marco Polo's background, his three voyages including the second with his father and uncle where he joined them and gained favor with Kublai Khan, his role introducing goods from China to Europe, and his legacy as one of the most well-documented early travelers from Europe to Asia.