Final answer:
New York, Boston, and Charleston used their strategic locations with large harbors and access to rivers, along with infrastructure that supported break of bulk points, to thrive in trade and industry, especially during the Industrial Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
New York, Boston, and Charleston were able to use geography to their economic advantage due to their strategic locations, which favored trade and industry. This was due to several factors including their large harbors, access to navigable rivers, and the presence of infrastructure that allowed for efficient break of bulk points where goods could be transferred between different modes of transportation. For instance, New York City's access to the Hudson River and the development of the Erie Canal allowed it to serve as a critical trade hub, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic. Additionally, Charleston and other southern cities grew based on their ability to cultivate and export cash crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo due to their fertile soil and long growing seasons.
These advantageous geographic and situation factors were further complemented by the advent of the Industrial Revolution, which increased the value of these cities as centers for manufacturing, trade, and economic growth. As large numbers of laborers were needed for loading and unloading cargo, cities with busy docks or ports attracted workers and industries, increasing their population sizes and economic importance.