Final answer:
Cargo transportation over water has historically relied on canals and ships navigating rivers, but has evolved to include large container ships carrying thousands of containers over thousands of kilometers. This method of shipping is crucial for global trade and is more efficient and cost-effective than past methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transportation of cargo across long distances over water is a significant aspect of global trade and commerce. Historically, in places like Alabama, Maine, and Missouri, moving goods was limited to roads, which were often widened trails, and the use of canals and ships navigating rivers and coastlines. With the advent of advanced transportation systems, like large container ships, it became much more efficient and cost-effective to transport goods. These ships can carry immense loads, such as the ones operating between Shanghai and Los Angeles that travel 10,400 km with 10,000 containers, each loaded with an average of 10 tons of cargo.
Improvements in shipping technologies, including the development of specialized cargo holds and the use of rubber tires for the ease of loading and offloading, have streamlined the process further. The use of cargo ships is a testament to the evolution of transportation, contributing to globalization as they facilitate the exchange of goods across continents. Figure 1.9 from LibreTexts™ highlights cargo ships as a crucial mode of transport in the global economy.