the trade network that connected the city-states to other powers in the Indian Ocean
the trade network that connected the city-states to other powers in the Indian Ocean
The major factor in the longevity of the Swahili city-states' influence is the trade network that connected them to other powers in the Indian Ocean. This trade network allowed the city-states to engage in extensive commercial activities and facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural influences. To get this answer, one could study the history of the Swahili city-states and their trade relations with other powers in the Indian Ocean region.