The Mediterranean.
Apex.
ad 1204
venice
Venice
Venice became cultural center because of trade
Venice was sucsecful of its trade routes
Three cities that became centers of trade in the ancient world were Alexandria in Egypt, Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) in the Byzantine Empire, and Venice in Italy.
Venice
Venice was one of the two Italian cities that monopolized trade with the far east.
They both became wealthy and popular as a result of trade.
Venice did because all the trade routes went right through it. I don't know about Portugal.
because they liked to trade with each other
It controlled the gold and salt trade in that region.