New england geographic features most directly influence the region's development of

Merchant industry based on fishing, lumber, ship building, and small scale family farms.

New England is rocky with many coastlines including both ocean, river, and lake waters. Fishing became very important to the coastal areas in addition to shipbuilding industries. Away from the coast, small family farms provided food for the area and supported the merchant trading system in the cities.

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The main geographic factor that gave economic benefits to the New England region was the presence of bays, lakes, wetlands, rivers, and capes, which ensured a promising fishing industry.

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