Final answer:
The Gobi and Taklamakan deserts, the Himalaya mountains, and the Pacific Ocean contributed to the isolation and unique development of early Chinese civilization by acting as natural barriers, while fertile river valleys supported agricultural growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The location of the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts, the Himalaya mountains, and the Pacific Ocean played a crucial role in the development and early settlement in China. The natural barriers provided by these geographical features led to the development of a relatively isolated region, which allowed early inhabitants to develop unique cultural and societal structures relatively free from external influences. The challenging environments of the deserts and mountains made it difficult for various groups to invade, but these same features also limited the Chinese in terms of expansion and interaction with other cultures.
Due to these natural obstructions, option 1 is the most fitting: Early peoples developed in isolation. The deserts and mountains restricted easy movement and invasion, thus acting as a barrier that contributed to a distinct Chinese civilization. The fertile lands of the Yellow and Yangtze rivers promoted agricultural development and population growth, as they were the cradles of Chinese civilization and supported the majority of the population. The need for defense and trade led to innovations like the construction of the Great Wall and the establishment of the Silk Road.