Final answer:
The Lewis and Clark expedition, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark from 1804 to 1806, covered thousands of miles from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean in an attempt to find commercial opportunities and a potential trade route through the new United State territories.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Lewis and Clark expedition, a significant event in American history, covered a remarkable distance during their journey from 1804 to 1806.
Undertaken by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the expedition aimed to explore the new territories of the United States, searching for commercial opportunities and potential trade routes, particularly the elusive Northwest Passage. Though they did not find this all-water route, as it does not exist, their odyssey provided a wealth of information about the unknown western territories.
During their expedition, which lasted over three years after departing from the Mississippi River, Lewis and Clark faced numerous challenges, including harsh weather and treacherous terrains. They spent eighteen months on the trail before reaching the Pacific Ocean.
While the exact number of miles they covered is not specified in existing historical documents, it was a transcontinental journey that spanned thousands of miles. Returning to St. Louis in 1806, they had lost only one man, and Lewis was later named governor of the Louisiana Territory.
Their journey was meticulously mapped by William Clark and contributed greatly to the geographical knowledge of the West. Today, the Lewis and Clark Expedition stands as a testament to the spirit of exploration and American expansion.