Final answer:
The Andes Mountains and Rocky Mountains impacted settlement patterns in North America through north-south migration and the influence of natural barriers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Andes Mountains and Rocky Mountains impacted settlement patterns in North America in various ways.
The Andes Mountains are located along the western side of South America and their unique geography encouraged north-south migration. This allowed early American migrants to spread quickly down the continent on the western side, following the narrow coastal passage created by the Andes Mountains.
The Rocky Mountains, on the other hand, are an immense range that stretches from New Mexico to Northern Canada. Their formation during the Late Paleozoic and their main growth during the Laramide Orogeny played a role in shaping the settlement patterns in North America. The Rocky Mountains provided natural barriers that influenced the movement and settlement of people in the region.