Final answer:
The French built their forts around the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf of Mexico for trade and strategic defense, influencing North American colonization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major bodies of water around which the French built their forts include the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, and extending down into the Gulf of Mexico. French colonization efforts in North America were pronounced in areas such as eastern Canada, specifically the St. Lawrence River Valley, and extended through the interior regions along the shores of Lake Ontario and south to the Gulf of Mexico.
Notable French historical influence is evident in the presence of French place names and land-use patterns in these areas. The focus around these water bodies was partly due to their strategies in the fur trade, as these waterways served as crucial transportation and trade routes. Additionally, the accessibility to these bodies of water allowed for strategic defensive positions and facilitated the spread of French influence in North America.