The fur trade was a huge part in the early economic development of North America. European traders and trappers explored the continent where they established relationships with local Native American communities in order to obtain the best pelts. Beaver was especially prized. For the majority of the fur trade era in North American history the primary fur market was overseas, in Europe. The fur trade ended as settlers took over the best trapping lands and eradicated wildlife which competed with livestock and humans for resources.
The furtrade (also called the Indian trade) was a huge part of the early history of contact in North America between European-Americans and American Indians (now often called Native Americans in the United States and First Nations in Canada).
Furtrade was a major Russian export since the early middle-ages.
Furtrade played a vital role in the development of Siberia, the Russian Far East and the Russian colonization of the Americas.