Final answer:
The central idea of the article is that Lewis and Clark's journey had multiple goals, including mapping the territory, exploring trade routes, establishing trade with Native American tribes, and collecting scientific data.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central idea of the article is that Lewis and Clark's journey had multiple goals, including mapping the territory, exploring potential trade routes, establishing trade with Native American tribes, and collecting scientific data on the geography, plant life, animals, and natural resources of the region. While the article mentions other details like the hopes of becoming famous and solidifying U.S. claims to the Pacific Northwest, the main focus is on the multifaceted objectives of the expedition.