What made the Byzantine Empire rich and successful for so long, and why did it finally crumble? Constantinople sat in the middle of a trade route,sea and land. Its wealth came from trade and its strong military. Constantinople remained secure and prosperous while cities in western Roman empire crumbles.
Because Antarctica is freezing and its not as hot as Africa and asia
Pretty sure it is "gold", you know with the California Gold Rush, and 49ers and all that. :)
The Articles of Confederation