Final answer:
Baghdad was at the crossroads of trans-Saharan trade routes, which were part of a network that connected Africa, Europe, and Asia, facilitating the trade of various commodities and the spread of Islam.
Step-by-step explanation:
Baghdad was at the crossroads of trans-Saharan trade routes that linked Africa, Europe, and Asia. These routes were part of a larger network of trade routes, including the Silk Roads, which connected many markets and trading emporiums throughout these continents. Major commodities such as gold, salt, textiles, and high-demand luxury goods like spices and silk moved along these pathways contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural and commercial exchange that characterized the medieval period.
Oasis towns along the routes served critical roles by providing respite to traders and facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and religion, notably the spread of Islam. The common Islamic faith shared between many traders on these routes helped to secure trade relations and the exchange of goods, technology, and information.