Final answer:
The Ohio River Valley attracted the British and French due to its dense forests, fertile soil, and rivers, which were conducive to settlement, agriculture, and transportation. These features made the region strategically and economically important during the French and Indian War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The geographic and natural features that attracted the British and French to the Ohio River Valley were dense forests, fertile soil, and rivers. These features were ideal for establishing settlements and farming, which both colonizing nations sought for their expanding empires. The Ohio Valley's abundance of resources made it a critical area of contention, as seen during the French and Indian War when both powers sought to exert control over the region. The valley's rivers, such as the Ohio River itself, provided vital transportation routes for goods and troops, influencing the strategies of military and economic expansion by both the British and French. Additionally, the region's dense forests supplied timber, a valuable resource for building forts, ships, and settlements, while the fertile soil promised successful agricultural ventures, vital for supporting a growing population and generating wealth.