Why did trade develop between different regions of Mesoamerica?

Trade in Mesoamerica developed primarily due to the extreme environmental diversity of the region, which created a system of symbiosis among its various subregions. Because many crops and resources were limited to specific environmental zones—such as the distinct highland and lowland areas—communities relied on the interregional exchange of agricultural products, luxury items, and other commodities to access goods not available in their immediate vicinity.12

This necessity for exchange stimulated the development of large, well-regulated markets and complex trade networks. These networks were supported by professional merchants and often utilized cacao beans as a medium of exchange. Beyond basic subsistence, trade also centered on subsidiary and luxury items, such as salt, which was often unequally distributed, and various craft goods. This economic interdependence was a foundational element of Mesoamerican civilization, contributing to the growth of urban centers and, in some cases, the formation of large-scale political states and empires.213