Final answer:
Geographic factors in the colonial period led to distinct regional differences, with the West known for its resources, the South for fertile land for cash crops, and the Mid-Atlantic and New England for harbors and rivers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Geographic factors starting in the colonial period led to differences between the regions including abundant new resources in the West such as cheap land and mineral deposits, fertile land for cash crops in the South, and safe harbors and fast-flowing rivers in the Mid-Atlantic and New England.
In the West, settlers found vast resources including open land for agriculture and mining opportunities. The South stood out for its fertile land that was ideal for cultivating cash crops such as tobacco, cotton, and rice. Meanwhile, the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions were marked by safe harbors facilitating trade and rivers that powered the early industrial mills, underscoring the diverse regional geographies that shaped the economic development of the United States.