Despite the devastation caused by flooding, large populations of people in East Asia live near rivers and the coast for all of the reasons below EXCEPT:(1 point)

Responses

 Trade and transportation
 Trade and transportation

High agricultural productivity in these areas.
High agricultural productivity in these areas.

Abundant desert landscapes in inland regions.
Abundant desert landscapes in inland regions.

Availability of freshwater resources

Abundant desert landscapes in inland regions.

The reason that does NOT explain why large populations in East Asia live near rivers and the coast is:

Abundant desert landscapes in inland regions.

To determine which of the given options is the correct answer, one must consider the reasons why people would choose to live near rivers and the coast in East Asia, despite the risks of flooding.

1. Trade and transportation: Rivers and coastlines provide important trade routes and transportation networks. Waterways allow for the movement of goods and people, making it easier to conduct business and access markets. This reason supports the idea that people would indeed choose to live near rivers and the coast.

2. High agricultural productivity in these areas: Rivers and coastlines often have fertile soil and provide ideal conditions for agriculture. This allows for the cultivation of crops and the rearing of livestock, which provides sustenance and economic opportunities. This reason also supports the idea that people would choose to live near rivers and the coast.

3. Abundant desert landscapes in inland regions: This reason is somewhat irrelevant to the question since it refers to inland regions rather than rivers and the coast. It does not provide a justification for why people would live near rivers and the coast, so it can be considered as a valid option for the answer.

4. Availability of freshwater resources: Rivers and coastlines are crucial sources of freshwater, which is essential for human survival and various activities such as drinking, irrigation, and industrial use. This reason supports the idea that people would choose to live near rivers and the coast.

Based on these considerations, we can conclude that the correct answer is "Abundant desert landscapes in inland regions."