The Mississippi River Without question America's greatest river, the Mississippi, has made major contributions to the physical and economic growth of the nation. Coursing through the heart of America, it supplies water for the cities and industries that have located along its banks. In 1705 the first cargo was floated down the river from the Indian country around Wabash. This was a load of 15,000 bear and deer hides. The Mississippi River is the main stem of a network of inland navigable waterways which form a system of about 12,350 miles in length. Which sentence from the paragraph gives the reader some understanding of the river's significance as a trade route? A) In 1705 the first cargo was floated down the river from the Indian country around Wabash.

B) Coursing through the heart of America, it supplies water for the cities and industries that have located along its banks

C) The Mississippi River is the main stem of a network of inland navigable waterways which form a system of about 12,350 miles in length.

D) Without question America's greatest river, the Mississippi, has made major contributions to the physical and economic growth of the nation.