* Availability of resources: The presence or absence of valuable natural resources, such as minerals, timber, and fertile land, influenced the development of trade routes and the goods that were traded. Regions with abundant resources often became hubs of trade, as people from other areas sought to acquire these resources.
* Resource distribution: The distribution of natural resources also played a role in shaping trade patterns. For example, regions with a surplus of a particular resource might trade it with regions that lacked that resource. This led to the development of long-distance trade routes, as goods were transported from one region to another.
Climate:
* Temperature and precipitation: Climate conditions could affect the types of crops that could be grown and the availability of water for transportation. For example, regions with a warm, humid climate were often more suitable for growing tropical crops, such as bananas and sugarcane, while regions with a cold, dry climate were better suited for growing wheat and other grains.
* Seasonality: Seasonal changes could also impact trade. For example, during the winter months, trade routes across mountains or through icy waters might become impassable, leading to a decrease in trade.
Landforms:
* Mountains, rivers, and deserts: Physical features such as mountains, rivers, and deserts could create barriers to trade or make it more difficult to transport goods. For example, mountain ranges could make it difficult to transport goods by land, while rivers and deserts could make it difficult to transport goods by water.
* Coastlines and harbors: The presence of coastlines and harbors facilitated trade by allowing goods to be transported by ship. This led to the development of port cities, which became important hubs of trade.