1. TRADE And Geography

2. Some terrains make travel easy and thus facilitate the trading of goods and ideas. Nations with or near these terrains benefit both economically and developmentally Other terrains make travel difficult to nearly impossible Nations with or near these terrains are both economically and developmentally handicapped

3. Rivers Rivers restrict land trade but facilitate trade by boat. They also supply a stable source of water for agricultures As a result: Some of the earliest civilizations grew up around rivers. And rivers often divide one country from another while still facilitating trade.

4. A “Littoral” A “Littoral” is a coastline with many islands, peninsulas and bays. This makes it easy to build safe harbors. Trade along the coast and to and from the islands is facilitated. Fishing provides a good source of protein. As a result: civilizations in these area grow sophisticated quickly (example Greece) most large cities are along the coast where there are good harbors

5. Mountain Ranges Tall mountain ranges are major obstacles to trade isolating one country from another. For example China and India look close together on a map. But they have had little trade between them until modern times.

6. Deserts Deserts are also major obstacles to trade isolating one country from another For Example: The Sahara Desert divides Africa into two parts: The Mediterranean North…with close ties to Europe and the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa that was isilated from the world until the 1800’s

7. Oceans Oceans are an obstacle to trade. While since ancient times ships have traveled along coasts None crossed the Ocean until the 1400’s When Europeans began to build ships and navigate in a way that made Ocean voyages possible. It is still difficult and expensive to cross an ocean.