How did geography affect the development of colonial america

Geography had such an impact in the development of Colonial America that it could decide which job people were going to have, the food they were going to eat, the clothes they were going to wear; even if they were going to be wealthy or not.

Explanation:

Water was a major factor that affected the development of Colonial America, this was because the Atlantic Ocean provided calm harbors for anchoring, loading, and unloading ships; this way colonists were able to receive many goods. So, many region's populations settled on bays and near rivers, this way they were able to support water-based economic activities, such as fishing, shipbuilding, and whaling; apart from providing transportation. The increase of the shipbuilding gave space to the lumber industry helping with the economy.

On the other hand, mountains (like the Appalachian) affected the expansion of colonists because they made it difficult to cross.

Climate also affected the development of Colonial America severely due to the fact that it varied immensely. During the cold climate, it was necessary to go fur hunting, fishing, and forestry to survive; cold climate made farming difficult but it also reduced the death from the diseases. Moderate climate helped grow food (like sugar cane, rice, tobacco, corn, wheat) and in swampy areas, malaria killed many people.