Final answer:
The best description of how physical features influenced Mesopotamian settlements is the fertile soil provided by rivers, which enabled extensive agriculture. The need for effective management of water resources due to flooding led to cooperation and the development of urban centers and governance structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best describes how physical features contributed to Mesopotamian settlements is "The presence of rivers allowed for fertile soil for agriculture." Mesopotamia's significant physical feature was the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which provided water for irrigation systems. These systems were crucial for agriculture, enabling the growth of crops such as barley, sesame seeds, and dates. The lack of natural resources like wood and stone meant that Mesopotamians made mud bricks from the soil, which was also facilitated by the presence of these rivers. The rivers' floods made it necessary for communities to work together to manage water resources, eventually leading to the development of governance and administration structures. This cooperation fostered the growth of urban centers and the mesopotamian civilization.Furthermore, the absence of other resources like stone and precious metals made the region reliant on long-distance trade, thus the community's social and political structure also grew around these trade networks. The importance of managing agricultural production and associated labor demands contributed to the development of centralized authority, heralding the rise of Mesopotamia as a significant place in the history of Western culture.