Final answer:
Lewis and Clark's expedition documented differences between East and West including geography, potential for trade, and interactions with Native American tribes, enriching U.S. geographical and cultural knowledge.
Step-by-step explanation:
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark embarked on a significant expedition ordered by President Thomas Jefferson, mapping the unknown Western territories of the United States. As Lewis and Clark traveled from the East to the West, they encountered stark differences and challenges. Differences included diverse geography, uncharted trade routes, new natural resources and wildlife, and encounters with various Native American tribes. They meticulously recorded their findings, solidifying U.S. claims to new territories and fostering opportunities for future trade and settlement.
The expedition benefited the United States greatly in terms of better geographical understanding and establishing contacts which were instrumental for subsequent traders and settlers. Although they did not find the mythical Northwest Passage, their journey provided valuable insights into the vast new lands that lay beyond the Mississippi River.