Final answer:
Geographic factors such as fertile land and a mild climate facilitated the development of large plantations in the southern colonies, which were central to the economy and shaped its social structure. Natural resources supported secondary industries such as shipbuilding, but the emphasis remained on agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The economic effect of geographic factors on the southern colonies primarily encouraged the establishment of large plantations. The fertile land and favorable climate of the region supported the cultivation of crops like tobacco, rice, and later cotton, which were labor-intensive and led to the growth of plantation agriculture. The plantation system not only influenced the economy but also the social structure, with a demand for a large labor force, which was met through the use of enslaved Africans.
The availability of natural resources, such as forests in North Carolina, provided materials like tar, pitch, and timber which were crucial for shipbuilding. The southern colonies also had shorter winters compared to the north, which allowed for a longer growing season. These conditions contributed to the southern economy's heavy reliance on agriculture and trade with the Caribbean, rather than the development of industries like in the northern colonies.