It should be centrally situated for the hinterland. For a port, the hinterland is that part of the country behind it which can be served with economy and efficiency by the port.
It should get good tonnage i .e. charge per TONNE of cargo handled by it.
It should have good communication with the rest of country.
It should be populous
It should be advance in culture, trade and industry.
It should be a place of defence and for resisting the sea-borne invasion