Final answer:
The geography of New Orleans contributed significantly to the city's vulnerability during natural events such as Hurricane Katrina, especially due to its position below sea level and the failure of the levee system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the geography of New Orleans has contributed to a large degree in the recent destructive natural events is true. New Orleans' unique topography, being situated below sea level and surrounded by water bodies such as the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, makes it inherently vulnerable to flooding. This vulnerability was tragically manifested during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 when the levee system, meant to protect the city from flooding, failed due to inadequate construction and maintenance. The failure of the levees led to the catastrophic flooding of the city, particularly affecting the poorest neighborhoods predominantly occupied by African Americans. The event not only exposed the city's physical vulnerabilities but also highlighted issues of economic inequality, racial divisions, and the inadequacy of emergency response and infrastructure resilience.