Final answer:
Flat terrains, navigable rivers, and canals are physical features that enhance transportation and travel by easing the construction of infrastructure and allowing efficient movement of goods and people. Fossil fuels facilitated transportation due to their high energy density and ease of distribution, as opposed to the complex infrastructure needed for electrified transportation systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical features that make transportation and travel easier include flat terrains such as plains, which facilitate the construction of roads and railways. Wide and navigable rivers allow for the transport of goods and people, significantly reducing the cost and time associated with overland travel. The invention of canals has also made it possible to connect different water bodies, thus enabling the direct movement of maritime vessels from one point to another.
When dissecting the ease of transportation, we recognize the role of fossil fuels in aiding significant advancements. Fossil fuels have higher energy density and are easier to transport and distribute. Initializing electrified transport systems demands a substantial infrastructure overhaul and consistent power supply sources, which historically created a preference for fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
Advances in transportation infrastructure during the 1800s, such as the construction of roads, turnpikes, canals, and railroads, had an indelible impact on the ease with which goods and people could move. This revolution in transportation lowered costs, simplified transit processes, and accelerated movement, thus bringing distant places closer together.