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Geographical Areas - Colonial Divisions

 
A. New England - Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island

B. Middle - New York , New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland 

C. Southern - Georgia,  North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia

D. West - no organized colonies


 
 
New England
1. No coastal plains, poor stony soil, fast flowing rivers, heavily forested, many natural harbors
2. Shipping capital of America
3. Cities grew, but not many farms
4. Not much labor needed for economic success

 
 
 
Middle Colonies
1. Some coastal plains for farming
2. Very few rivers, but they were extremely long and easily used.  It opened the interior of thecontinent---Susquehanna River, Baltimore, Maryland; Hudson River, New York, NY; Delaware River, Philadelphia, Penn. 
3. Became the doorway to the west through its rivers.  Link the Middle colonies to the West.

 
 
 
Southern Colonies
1. Wide coastal plains, shallow bays, and harbors, long navigable rivers, rich soil
2. Farming expensive --labor and shipping costs high
3. Plantation- the economic and social structure of the south
4. Cotton Kings before the Civil War
5.  Much labor needed for economic success

 
 
West
1. Unexplored region of forested mountains -- Appalachian Mts.
2. Natural boundary blocked the move west at this time
3. Mainly mountain men and trappers went west of the mountains at this time

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