Look at the map of the Mediterranean region in the 1400s.

A map shows the Mediterranean region in the 1400s. To the east, just north of the Mediterranean Sea, the Ottoman Empire is outlined.The map shows a complex network of major travel routes connecting Europe to Africa and the Ottoman Empire.

How does the map help explain why the Renaissance began in Italy?

(1 point)

The map helps explain why the Renaissance began in Italy because Italy was at the center of major trade routes connecting Europe to Africa and the Ottoman Empire. This strategic geographic location allowed for the exchange of ideas, goods, and knowledge between different cultures, leading to a flourishing of intellectual and artistic activity in Italy during the Renaissance period. Additionally, Italy's proximity to ancient Roman and Greek ruins also played a role in sparking interest in classical art and culture, which was a key characteristic of the Renaissance.