Why Is Mississippi River Important To The Development Of America's Economy

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The Mississippi River is one of the world’s great rivers. It is the longest river in the United States. The Mississippi River is a great body of water that helped build and develop America’s economy. Through transportation and agriculture it is very important to the growth of the United States.

To begin with, the Mississippi River provides transportation which is a key factor in countries around the world. “Transportation barges throughout the Midwest can ship to and from ports accessible through the Gulf of Mexico, making it important to trade and transportation. Transport along the river is the cheapest form of transportation going back and forth from the Southeast United States.”(Exploring Our World People, Places and Things). Today the Mississippi River is used to transport goods and materials across. The Mississippi River made traveling convenient. Another benefit that having good transportation provides is importing and exporting. “However, with development of the lock and dam system on the river (starting in 1913 when the first lock and dam was built near Keokuk,) the upper Mississippi River’s system of 29 locks and dams continues to be a major method of commerce in the United States.”(Mississippi River Facts). However that’s not all. The Mississippi River provides.
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The Mississippi River also contributes to Agriculture. “Nitrogen and phosphorus are the most common agricultural pollutants found in public waters in the Mississippi River Basin.”(Mississippi River Facts). In spite of already having transportation the Mississippi River also has Agriculture which is an essential essence to the farmers who live near it.“Located in the heart of Jackson, the Mississippi Agriculture is an oasis of agriculture amid an urban landscape.”(Exploring Our World People, Places and

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