Final answer:
The Iroquoian culture was marked by a sophisticated political confederacy, settled agricultural communities, extensive trade networks, and significant ceremonial earthen mounds, distinguishing it from the Algonquian culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Iroquoian culture distinguished itself socially from the Algonquian culture through its political structure and social organization. The Iroquois, also known as the Haudenosaunee, formed a complex political confederacy that included the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations. This confederacy was governed by a council made up of fifty sachems from the Five Nations, demonstrating a sophisticated level of diplomacy and cooperation not as prominent in Algonquian societies. Furthermore, the Iroquois were known for their settled agricultural communities that facilitated the rise of large, sophisticated settlements and economies, as evidenced by the establishment of extensive trade networks and the construction of significant earthen mounds for ceremonial purposes.