Answer:
I think it might be
Surrounding seas allowed people to set up ports for trade.
The location near the sea allowed people to interact with other civilizations.
A lack of flat land made people dependent on trade to survive.
Explanation:
Edit: dont listin to me im wrong im pretty sure
They are taxes on goods that are imported into a country. A government may use the money from them to fund government operations.
Could you write more so i can help?
The american southwest was settled by european colonists from FRANCE