Final answer:
The transition to agropastoralism between 9000 - 4000 BCE occurred in Mesopotamia, the Andes region of South America, Mesoamerica, and China, which were major centers for the domestication of plants and animals leading to permanent settlements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Between 9000 - 4000 BCE, the four major locations where groups of people transitioned to agropastoralism and agriculture were Mesopotamia, the Andes region of South America, Mesoamerica, and China. During this era, known as the Neolithic Period, humans began to settle and develop new ways of subsistence, including the domestication of plants and animals. The introduction of agriculture facilitated permanent settlements and the rise of civilizations in these areas. Mesopotamia is famously known for being part of the Fertile Crescent, an abundant area where agriculture thrived early on. The Andes saw the cultivation of potatoes and manioc, while in Mesoamerica, plants like pepper and squash were cultivated as early as 6500 BCE. Finally, in China, the Yangtze and Yellow River valleys were centers of agricultural development.