Final answer:
The major mining, ranching, and farming regions in the West in the late 1800s were critical in shaping both the economy and culture of the United States. Option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major mining, ranching, and farming regions of the West in the late 1800s were distinct areas critical to the economic development and expansion of the United States.
Mining during the period was largely focused on the extraction of precious metals like gold, silver, and copper, which attracted thousands of individuals to the West with the promise of striking it rich quickly.
The famous California Gold Rush is a prime example of this. Ranching in areas such as Texas revolved around cattle, taking advantage of railroads for long drives to ship cattle to the Eastern markets.
Farming was greatly facilitated by the Homestead Act that encouraged settlers to farm vast tracts of land and the Pacific Railway Act that improved transport and supply lines. These regions, especially animating the mythic Old West, were influential in shaping the cultural and socio-political landscape of the nation.
Given this historical background, the correct sequence of the regions corresponding to the activities is as follows: 1) a – mining; b – ranching; c – farming.