European countries set up colonies in Asia following the discovery of western and new eastern routes to these lands. What impact did these colonies have on the countries of Europe?

A. These settlements were used as penal colonies--places to send the country's worst criminals.

B. These settlements insured safe passage for merchants going further inland after landing in Asian ports.

C. These settlements paid taxes to their home governments, which made European countries and their monarchs richer.

D. These settlements became homes for traveling merchants, who preferred to live outside Europe.