Natural Landforms That Shaped U.S. Settlement Patterns

Several major landforms acted as natural boundaries and corridors for settlement:

1. Mountain Ranges: The Rockies and Appalachians created barriers between east/west and north/south.
2. Rivers: The Mississippi and Hudson served as transport routes and borders.
3. Deserts: The Great Basin and Sonoran deserts limited expansion due to aridity.
4. Oceans and Coastlines: Atlantic and Pacific coasts fostered port cities and trade.
5. Great Lakes: Provided a waterway network linking interior to the Atlantic, spurring cities like Chicago and Detroit.

These features influenced regional identities, economies, and cultural development.