This document discusses the foundation and basics of international business. It defines international business as activities needed to create, ship, and sell goods and services across national borders. International business is important for obtaining materials from other countries, global opportunities, and improved political relations. International trade has existed for over 15,000 years between countries like China, India, Japan, Africa and South America. In the 11th century and 15th-16th centuries, colonization expanded international trade significantly. The international business environment considers geographic, cultural, economic, political and legal factors across countries. Skills like foreign language ability and cultural awareness are important for international business.