Historically speaking, rivers had a monumental impact on trade, transportation, and natural resources in all regions of the world prior to the development of turnpikes and locomotives. The ancient Romans used rivers for their plumbing and water systems, the Egyptians used the Nile river for trade and for water supply for their crops (and still do), the United States used the Mississippi river to access their northern and southern regions must faster to transport soldiers and commerce in and around the country. Until the "era of the railroad," water passageways were essential to the success of any economy.
