Final answer:
Large rivers like the Rhine and Danube were crucial for the development of trade routes in Europe, enabling trade and travel, contributing to the region's economy, and influencing social and political structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The development of trade routes in Europe was significantly influenced by large rivers such as the Rhine and the Danube. These waterways served as the foundation for trade and travel, connecting various regions and facilitating the movement of goods and people.
The Rhine River, originating in the region of southern Germany near the Swiss border, flows north and empties into the North Sea at Rotterdam, one of the busiest ports globally. Similarly, the Danube flows eastward through major cities like Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade, reaching the Black Sea. These rivers not only provided natural transportation routes that were crucial for economic development but also helped shape the political and social structures of the regions through which they passed.
In the Middle Ages, rivers aided in revitalizing trade routes, particularly with the expansion of the Italian state trading networks and the Hanseatic League. They played a role in building modern commercial infrastructure with advancements such as double-entry bookkeeping, international banking systems, and the use of a standardized currency like the gold florin for international trade.