The Black Death, also known as the Bubonic Plague, was a deadly pandemic that swept through Europe in the 14th century. It first emerged in Asia and spread along trade routes, eventually reaching Europe in 1347. It is estimated that the Black Death killed approximately 75 to 200 million people worldwide, mostly through the transmission of Yersinia pestis bacteria from fleas to humans. The pandemic caused significant social, economic, and cultural changes in Europe and had lasting effects on the continent's population and development.