Final answer:
Physical geography significantly influences the location and development of megalopolises in the United States and Canada, with natural features such as mountain ranges and water bodies shaping settlement, migration, and urbanization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between physical geography and the formation of megalopolises in the United States and Canada can be understood by examining how geographical features have influenced human settlement patterns, migration, and cultural development. The correct answer to the question asked is, c) Physical geography influences the location and growth of megalopolises. Natural landforms and climatic conditions have historically guided the development of cities and urban regions.
For instance, the presence of mountain ranges like the Rockies and the availability of water sources such as the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway have directed the flow of people and trade, impacting where large population centers are established. Similarly, cultural practices, such as politics and public transportation systems, are shaped by the unique environmental conditions of each region, exhibiting a process of cultural convergence, cultural diffusion, and cultural divergence. The importance of physical geography is evident in how it has shaped the economic activities, resource availability, and overall urbanization processes that lead to the creation of megalopolises.