Final answer:
The availability of water influenced economic development by increasing consumption and economic activity in wealthier nations, opening up arid land for farming through irrigation, and sustaining settlements in regions like Arabia.
Step-by-step explanation:
The availability of water influenced economic development in several ways. Firstly, access to clean running water in homes and cheap water supply in wealthier nations allowed people to use more water, leading to increased consumption and economic activity. In addition, the construction of dams and aquifers created the opportunity for irrigation, which opened up previously arid land to farming, leading to agricultural growth and economic development. Lastly, the ability to harness water through dams and irrigation systems sustained settlements and facilitated economic development in regions like Arabia.