What significant role did the Indian Ocean play for the Swahili Coast?

It facilitated maritime trade routes.

It was a barrier to trade.

It isolated the region from the mainland.

It provided freshwater resources.

1 answer

The significant role that the Indian Ocean played for the Swahili Coast was that it facilitated maritime trade routes. The Indian Ocean served as a vital conduit for commerce, connecting the Swahili Coast to various regions including the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. This maritime trade enabled the exchange of goods, cultures, and ideas, contributing to the economic and cultural development of the Swahili city-states.