Which statement describes how the natural resources of the United States allowed it to develop a diverse economy?

A lack of arable land forced Americans to turn to tourism.
Its many waterways allowed it to ship goods inexpensively.
It developed a worldwide market for its bananas.
Rivers that flooded forced people to move to higher ground.

The statement that describes how the natural resources of the United States allowed it to develop a diverse economy is: Its many waterways allowed it to ship goods inexpensively.

The statement that describes how the natural resources of the United States allowed it to develop a diverse economy is: Its many waterways allowed it to ship goods inexpensively.

To arrive at this answer, let's break down the options and eliminate the incorrect ones:

- A lack of arable land forced Americans to turn to tourism: This statement does not support the idea of how natural resources contribute to a diverse economy. Furthermore, the United States has a significant amount of arable land, so this statement is not accurate.

- It developed a worldwide market for its bananas: While the United States does have an agricultural industry that includes the cultivation of bananas, it does not represent a significant factor in the overall diversity of the economy. Additionally, this statement does not emphasize the role of natural resources in driving a diverse economy.

- Rivers that flooded forced people to move to higher ground: While natural disasters such as flooding may contribute to population movements and subsequent economic changes, it does not specifically address the diversity of the economy. Therefore, this statement is not the best choice.

This leaves us with the statement: Its many waterways allowed it to ship goods inexpensively. This option highlights the significance of the abundant waterways in the United States, which facilitate cost-effective transportation of goods. The presence of navigable rivers and extensive coastlines played a crucial role in the development of a diverse economy by enabling efficient trade and commerce across different regions.

Hence, the correct answer is: Its many waterways allowed it to ship goods inexpensively.

You should be considering only positive effects, so scratch A and D.

Now consider the other two. Which one makes sense for the early US?