Which of the following best explains how physical geography impacted trade along the Silk Road?(1 point)
Responses
Lack of water along the Silk Road caused traders to flock to oases to survive.
Deserts were flat and easy to travel across, so traders often went across them.
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Mountains such as the Pamir Mountains made trade difficult, so traders often avoided them.
Maritime trade routes were developed throughout the Silk Road to avoid the mountains.
Mountains such as the Pamir Mountains made trade difficult, so traders often avoided them.
The option that best explains how physical geography impacted trade along the Silk Road is:
Mountains such as the Pamir Mountains made trade difficult, so traders often avoided them.
These mountains created significant barriers to trade along the Silk Road, as they were difficult to cross due to their steep and rugged terrain. Consequently, traders would often seek alternate routes or bypass these mountainous regions altogether to find easier paths for their trade journeys.
To determine the best explanation for how physical geography impacted trade along the Silk Road, let's analyze each option:
1. Lack of water along the Silk Road caused traders to flock to oases to survive: This explanation highlights the scarcity of water along the trade route. Traders needed access to water sources, which were often found at oases. However, it focuses on survival rather than directly impacting trade.
2. Deserts were flat and easy to travel across, so traders often went across them: This explanation suggests that deserts facilitated trade due to their flat terrain, making travel easier. However, it overlooks the challenges posed by extreme temperatures and scarcity of resources in the desert regions.
3. Mountains such as the Pamir Mountains made trade difficult, so traders often avoided them: This explanation recognizes that mountains presented obstacles to trade along the Silk Road. The Pamir Mountains, specifically, were known for their challenging terrain, making trade routes more difficult and less preferred.
4. Maritime trade routes were developed throughout the Silk Road to avoid the mountains: This explanation acknowledges the impact of mountains on trade and the need for alternative routes. Maritime trade routes were indeed developed as an alternative to bypassing the mountainous areas, ensuring a more efficient and safer means of trade.
Therefore, the most accurate explanation is that mountains such as the Pamir Mountains made trade difficult, so traders often avoided them. It recognizes the barrier that mountains posed and their influence on trade routes.