Ports

Ports are the link between maritime and land-based trade. Traditionally ports were located where the geography was favourable. In some cases this meant that the coastline at that point provided a sheltered anchorage - Sydney and Freetown in Sierra Leone are examples. Other ports were located near the mouths of rivers, enabling river and sea traffic to meet: Hamburg, Rotterdam, Shanghai, London and New Orleans are examples. Others are to be found on straits between landmasses - like Istanbul - or where major trade routes pass - such as Singapore.