Final answer:
The Silk Road would be the trade route to gain the richest, as it facilitated the exchange of valuable luxury goods and had extensive trade networks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the three trade routes, the Silk Road would be the one to gain the richest. The Silk Road was a network of trade routes that connected the East and the West, allowing for the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures. It facilitated the trade of luxury goods like silk, spices, and precious metals, which were highly valued and profitable. Merchants and caravans traveled long distances along this route, making substantial profits from their trade.
On the other hand, the Indian Ocean Basin trade route was primarily focused on maritime trade and connected the countries surrounding the Indian Ocean. While it also involved the exchange of valuable goods, it did not have the same level of profitability as the Silk Road.
Similarly, the Saharan trade route mainly involved trans-Saharan trade, connecting the Saharan region with North Africa and the Mediterranean. This route facilitated the trade of goods like gold, salt, and slaves, but it did not have the same diversity of goods or extensive trade networks as the Silk Road.
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