During the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, Catalan merchants played an influential part in Mediterranean trade, despite the difficulty presented by Catalonia's isolated geographical position and its remoteness from the major eastern trade routes. Political and military conquests opened up a vast area for trade and led to almost absolute hegemony in North Africa. However, strong positions were never established in the eastern Mediterranean, despite the presence of bases in Syria and Egypt. Catalan trade also reached the distant ports of the North Sea, although to a lesser extent. As a support to trade, consulates were set up in various trading cities.