Which trio of cities rose during this era due to increased trade?

• A. Novgorod, Constantinople, Timbuktu
• B. Athens, Sparta, Thebes
• C. Beijing, Nanjing, Hangzhou
• D. Carthage, Cairo, Jerusalem

Answer: (A)

Trade networks expanding across Eurasia and Africa spurred the rise of major urban centers by linking distant producers with new markets. Novgorod grew as a northern hub on routes between the Baltic and the interior, handling furs, timber, and slaves and collecting duties that enriched its rulers and merchants. Constantinople sat at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, controlling the Bosporus and Mediterranean sea lanes, so wealth flowed through its markets from Asia, Africa, and Europe alike. Timbuktu thrived in the trans-Saharan trade world, connecting gold and salt caravans with Islamic learning and commerce, turning it into a key urban and cultural center. Together, these cities illustrate how cross-regional trade propelled urban development in this era. Other city pairs in different regions reflect distinct patterns not as tied to this broad, interconnected trade system.