Life on the Mississippi

The Mississippi basin is portrayed as the essential core of the nation, surpassing all other regions in importance and size. Spanning approximately 1,250,000 square miles, it ranks as the world's second-largest valley, only after the Amazon. Its vastness exceeds that of entire countries and regions in Europe, making it a unique and fertile area for human habitation. The combination of favorable latitude, elevation, and rainfall makes the Mississippi Valley an ideal dwelling place, emphasizing its significance as a prime location for civilization.