# Natural Market Advantages

## Definition

The geographical and environmental features that naturally facilitate trade and market development, including access to coastlines, navigable rivers, favourable sailing conditions, and proximity to other trading regions. Natural market advantages create the conditions for early economic development and specialisation.

## Source Chapter

Book I, Chapter 3

## Context

Smith identifies the Mediterranean's smoothness, lack of tides, numerous islands, and proximity of shores as natural market advantages that enabled early navigation and civilisation, while the frozen ocean of Tartary and distant African rivers represent natural disadvantages that hindered market development.

## Economic Domain

Exchange

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