Final answer:
Nations formed trade relationships with North Africa and Southwest Asia due to the region's vital role in connecting various economies and communities through strategic trade routes. The spread of Islam further unified these networks, reinforcing cultural and economic exchanges.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many nations of the world established trade relationships with countries of North Africa and Southwest Asia due to the region's strategic location as a crossroads of trade between Africa, Europe, and Asia. Global economies were shaped by the extensive exchange of commodities such as gold, salt, and ivory as well as luxury goods and enslaved people. The spread of Islam played a unifying role in these trade networks, as it fostered a shared cultural and religious framework that allowed for easier exchange and communication. The introduction of Islam facilitated the wide distribution of not only goods but also ideas, technologies, and cultural practices across a network that extended from West Africa through the Middle East to Europe and Asia.
The rich trade history of this region is exemplified by the early trans-Saharan trade routes, which connected North and West Africa to the Middle East and Europe. Trade centers such as Awdaghost, Sijilmasa, and Djenné became hubs of commerce, enabling the diffusion of both material and cultural wealth. These routes were integral in linking diverse economies and communities together, thus establishing the foundations for international trade relations.