Early French explorations of the New World

- created no permanent settlements until the 18th century

- brought great riches to France

- focused on the St. Lawrence, Mississippi, and Ohio rivers

- were in response to an intense rivalry with the Netherlands

Option: focused on the St. Lawrence, Mississippi, and Ohio rivers

Explanation:

After the discovery of America, Europe in the 16th century began a race for exploration to find wealth and riches in the New World. Early French explorers focused on the rivers because of the furs. The fur was from Beavers, who need water to survive and lived around rivers, ponds, swamps, and lakes. French traded with the Indians for furs which they took back to there homeland to get most of the profit out of it. Furs in Europe was seen as a luxury item and showed the wealth of the person.