Genoa

Genoa is one of the 4 biggest trading cities during the Renaissance. Genoa is known for their sea ports and trade. Genoa's name originated from its ancient name, Genua, a city supposedly founded by the two headed Roman god Giano, protector of ships and coins. Genoa name is also known as Genova in Italian and Genua in ancient Latin.

Genoa is located north-western coastline, 75 miles south of Milan on the Gulf of Genoa and is located near the Mediterranean sea. Genoa is also the capital of the Ligurian region. Genoa is near Florence, Milan, and Turin.

Genoa was rivals with eastern Italian trading ports of Venice and Pisa. Genoa also established a commercial relations with SPain and Portugal. Later in the 15th century, Genoa started expand the trade to the west.

In Genoa, power was distributed between handful of noble families that oversaw commercial and trading activities, but this form of government failed due to the fighting between the nobles. SO this caused Genoa to be a republican government.

Trade was also huge in Genoa. Genoa was a crossroad of traffic and culture between western Europe and the Mediterranean. Then in 1261, Genoa captured Constantinople when help expand trade through the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean. They sold exported wine, olive oil, wool, imported furs, corn, spices, and Persian goods.

Picture of Genoa