Question

Which feature of Greece's geography explains the ancient Greeks need for trade

Answer 1

The geography of Greece is characterized by its mountainous terrain and numerous islands. These features played a significant role in the need for trade among the ancient Greeks. Specifically:

1. **Mountains and Rugged Terrain**: Greece is largely mountainous, making agriculture challenging. The arable land was limited, and communities often could not produce enough food to sustain themselves. This led to a reliance on trade for essential goods, including grain, olive oil, and other agricultural products.

2. **Islands and Coastline**: Greece has many islands and an extensive coastline, which fostered maritime trade. The Greeks became adept sailors and navigators, facilitating trade routes across the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. This enabled them to access resources not available in their local environments.

3. **Separate City-States**: The mountainous landscape contributed to the development of independent city-states (poleis), which often competed with one another. As these city-states emerged, they sought to expand their influence and secure resources through trade.

Overall, the combination of limited agricultural potential and a strong maritime culture due to its geographic features necessitated trade for the ancient Greeks.