In the late 15th century Malacca had perhaps 15,000 merchants from many different countries. Arab traders brought Islam, and from Melaka it spread across Southeast Asia. From the east, traders came from as far away as China. Admiral Cheng Ho visited early in the 15th century during Ming Dynasty expeditions to the western Indian Ocean and beyond. The Europeans drove away most Muslim traders in the 16th century, and Singapore eventually became the region's trade center. This Maritime Musem (looking somewhat like an old ship on the outside) contains exhibits about Melaka's history.