This paper addresses the distance "puzzle" in the gravity model of trade according to which the estimated coefficient of distance is generally found to increase rather than decrease through time. After having shown that the puzzle is a robust finding in our large sample of 130 countries over the...

It has been widely argued that, with the decline in trade costs (e.g., transport and communication costs), the importance of distance has declined over time. This paper examines the evolution of the geographic profile of countries' trade by studying the evolution of their distance of trade (DOT)...

It has been widely argued that, with the decline in trade costs, the importance of distance has declined over time. On the other hand, most gravity models find that the importance of distance on bilateral trade has increased over time. This puzzle is examined here. The paper develops a new...