Understanding infrastructure
The roots of developing infrastructure can be found in ancient civilizations around the world. The Mayans, for example, created vast road networks to connect cities located throughout Central America -- roads so well-constructed that they're still visible today. Similarly, the ancient Romans -- who also built long-lasting roads --developed aqueducts throughout their empire to distribute water for public baths and fountains.
Today, infrastructure has developed to encompass a variety of systems. In addition to roads, infrastructure includes bridges, tunnels, and railways. Also similar to classical civilizations, infrastructure in modern society provides water and wastewater treatment. In more recent times, infrastructure has applied to the power grid and the internet.