Waterways

Pacific Ocean

Was and early exploration destination

Columbia River

Was explored by Lewis and Clark

Colorado River

Was explored by the Spanish

Missouri River

The Mississippi and Missouri Rivers were the transportation arteries for farm and industrial products. They are also links to ports and other parts of the world

Ohio River

Gateway to the West

St. Lawrence River

Forms part of the northeast border with Canada and connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean

Rio Grande

Forms the border with Mexico

Great Lakes

Inland port cities grew in the Midwest along the Great Lakes

Gulf of Mexico

Provided the French and Spanish with exploration routes to Mexico and other parts of North America

Atlantic Ocean

Served as the highway for explorers, early settlers, and later immigrants