Final answer:
River valleys are the common geographic feature that contributed to the development of ancient civilizations in Egypt, China, India, and Mesopotamia due to the fertile land and water they provided.
Step-by-step explanation:
The geographic feature that was common to the development of civilizations in ancient Egypt, China, India, and Mesopotamia is river valleys (Option D). These areas provided fertile soil due to annual flooding, which was crucial for the growth of cities and sustaining large populations. For instance, ancient Mesopotamia, known as the cradle of civilization, witnessed urban centers emerge thanks to irrigation from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Similarly, the Nile River allowed for the flourishing of Egyptian civilization with its predictable flooding patterns providing nutrient-rich soil for agriculture. The Yellow River in China and the Indus River in India served similar functions in supporting ancient cultures with their consistent water sources and flood-derived fertility.