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Which of the following major crops was originally native to the New World?

Group of answer choices

sugar

rice

wheat

1 Answer

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Answer:

The major crop that was originally native to the New World is maize, also known as corn. Maize is a cereal grain that originated in Mesoamerica, specifically in what is now modern-day Mexico. It was first domesticated by indigenous peoples in the region around 10,000 years ago.

Maize played a crucial role in the development of ancient civilizations in the Americas, such as the Maya, Aztec, and Inca. It became a staple food crop and had significant cultural and economic importance. Maize cultivation spread throughout the Americas, reaching as far north as present-day Canada and as far south as Argentina.

The cultivation of maize had a profound impact on the societies of the New World. It provided a reliable food source that could support larger populations and allowed for the development of complex agricultural systems. The cultivation of maize also led to the establishment of settled communities and the rise of advanced civilizations.

While sugar, rice, and wheat are major crops in various parts of the world, they were not originally native to the New World. Sugar cane originated in Southeast Asia, rice originated in East Asia, and wheat originated in the Middle East.

Step-by-step explanation:

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