Why did columbus sail west to asia rather than travel by land through the middle east?

All of the following are typical characteristics of traditional african religions except a. belief in a creator being b. belief that the dead go onto paradise, and their spirits cannot those left on earth c. belief that all things in nature (including rocks, trees, and animals) have souls d. beliefs are often combined with other faiths, such as christianity

Why would it be hard to live in a city state

What does the author describe in this passage