Which geographic feature gave Italian city-states a major advantage in trading with the East?

Their location in the center of the Mediterranean Sea

The large mountain ranges that provided natural defense

The rich soil that was ideal for growing crops for trade

The numerous rivers that connected all of the major cities

How did the Crusades contribute to the growth of trade in Italian city-states?

They stopped all trade with the Middle East permanently.

They introduced Europeans to desirable goods from the East.

They forced Italian cities to build larger armies for defense.

They led to the discovery of a new sea route around Africa.