Final answer:
Aksum's coastal proximity and access to the Red Sea were key in establishing it as a central hub for trade, connecting Africa with the Middle East and beyond through the Indian Ocean trade network.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aksum's location enabled it to become a center for trade primarily due to its coastal proximity. As a trading hub, Aksum took advantage of its adjacency to the Red Sea and expanded its influence, which fostered economic wealth through trading luxury goods with Egypt, Arabia, and the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Indian Ocean trade network further heightened the importance of Aksum and the East African coast by connecting Africa with the Middle East, China, and beyond.
This strategic location allowed for effective use of monsoon winds for maritime trade, contributing significantly to the expansion of Islam and a unifying culture among the merchant classes throughout the trade-based societies that developed along this crucial trade route.