Final answer:
Environmental knowledge, transportation innovations, and interaction between merchants and states were key factors in the expansion of trade and diffusion of culture along the Indian Ocean basin, trans-Saharan trade routes, and Eurasian Silk Roads.
Step-by-step explanation:
A. One way environmental knowledge caused an increase in the volume of trade and the expansion of trade routes in the Indian Ocean basin was through the discovery of monsoon winds. Merchants in the region learned how to navigate and harness the power of monsoon winds, allowing them to sail more efficiently and reach distant lands. This knowledge facilitated trade and the establishment of trade routes across the Indian Ocean basin.
B. An example of a transportation innovation that affected the trade of luxury goods in the Indian Ocean basin was the invention of the dhow, a type of sailing vessel with a triangular sail. The dhows were able to navigate both open seas and shallow waters, making them ideal for transporting goods along coastal regions and across the ocean. This innovation significantly contributed to the expansion of trade and the exchange of luxury goods in the region.
C. The interaction between merchants and states played a role in the diffusion of culture along the Silk Roads in Eurasia. Merchants acted as cultural intermediaries, carrying ideas, languages, and customs as they traveled and traded. They introduced foreign goods and ideas to new regions, and in turn, adopted local practices and customs. This exchange and interaction between merchants and states led to the diffusion and blending of different cultures along the Silk Roads.
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