# Early Navigation Advantages

## Definition

The natural characteristics of certain bodies of water that made them accessible to early mariners with primitive technology, enabling the first development of maritime trade and specialisation. These advantages include calm waters, numerous islands, and proximity of shores.

## Source Chapter

Book I, Chapter 3

## Context

Smith attributes the early civilisation of Mediterranean peoples to the sea's smoothness, lack of tides, numerous islands, and proximity of neighbouring shores, which made navigation possible even when people were "afraid to quit the view of the coast" and had imperfect ship-building skills.

## Economic Domain

Exchange

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