The correct answer is: They relied on waterways like the Strait of Malacca to control important sea trade routes.
The geography of the Malacca and Brunei sultanates allowed them to establish themselves as major trading powers. The Strait of Malacca, located between the Malay Peninsula and the island of Sumatra, served as a critical maritime trade route connecting the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Controlling this strategic waterway gave the sultanates a significant advantage in terms of trade and economic dominance. Through this, they could tax passing ships, regulate commerce, and accumulate wealth, thus boosting their economies and strengthening their political positions.
How did geography most benefit the Malacca and Brunei sultanates?
They depended on natural barriers like mountains to protect them from invasion.
They used overland access to India and China to develop profitable trade relations.
They spread out across many islands, making it difficult for other peoples to conquer and control them.
They relied on waterways like the Strait of Malacca to control important sea trade routes.
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