How did geography most benefit the Malacca and Brunei sultanates?
(1 point)
Responses
a They depended on natural barriers like mountains to protect them from invasion.
b 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 used overland access to India and China to develop profitable trade relations.
c They spread out across many islands, making it difficult for other peoples to conquer and control them.
They spread out across many islands, making it difficult for other peoples to conquer and control them.
d They relied on waterways like the Strait of Malacca to control important sea trade routes.
d They relied on waterways like the Strait of Malacca to control important sea trade routes.
d They relied on waterways like the Strait of Malacca to control important sea trade routes.
d They relied on waterways like the Strait of Malacca to control important sea trade routes.
The correct answer is option d: They relied on waterways like the Strait of Malacca to control important sea trade routes.
Explanation:
Both the Malacca and Brunei sultanates benefited greatly from their geographical location and the presence of waterways. The Strait of Malacca, located between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra, was a crucial sea trade route connecting the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea.
By controlling this important waterway, the sultanates were able to establish dominance over trade and become major centers of commerce in Southeast Asia. They levied taxes on passing ships, which brought significant wealth and allowed them to develop strong economies.
Additionally, the geographical location of the sultanates provided them with access to other maritime trade routes. This allowed them to establish profitable trade relations with India and China, which further contributed to their economic prosperity.
So, the option d correctly explains how geography benefited the Malacca and Brunei sultanates by allowing them to control important sea trade routes.