Reread these two excerpts from "The Pony Express" Chapter 1 and answer the question that follows:

The Pacific Coast was of the deepest concern to the Union. Situated at a distance of nearly two thousand miles from the Missouri River which was then the nation's western frontier, this intervening space comprised trackless plains, almost impenetrable ranges of snow-capped mountains, and parched alkali deserts.

and

California, even then, was the jewel of the Pacific. Having a considerable population, great natural wealth, and unsurpassed climate and fertility, she was jealously desired by both the North and the South.

These two excerpts focus mainly on?

A. the physical characteristics of California

B. the North's plans to defeat the South in California

C. the reasons why California was ignored by the North and the South

D. the effects of war on the resources in California