Final answer:
The first multinational corporations originated in Italy, where a rich tradition of commerce and joint ventures among merchants provided the foundation for businesses that later expanded across Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first multinational corporations were located in Italy but had branches across Europe. By the late fifteenth century, Italian city-states were nurturing various business ventures including both small family-owned businesses and larger companies. These businesses were engaged in land and commerce with widespread use of credit, and they developed risk-sharing business ventures and joint investment schemes among merchants.
As we consider the early stages of multinational corporations, it's important to note related historical developments. For example, Spain, having been conquered and settled by Muslim rulers, had connections across the Mediterranean to Africa and the Middle East. This era was marked by expansive maritime exchange, laying the groundwork for the globalization of business and the eventual rise of true multinational corporations.