>>17950468
>Yes sparse populations, along with disease, climate, isolation, lack of domesticable animals, jungles, deserts etc. etc. prevented certain developments from appearing
I can play this same game too, anon.
Listed below are a multitude of reasons why the lower 48 states are impossible to develop technologically:
>1. Isolation & Access
- Nevadan & Texan Desert blocks East-West connection
- Deep South coasts lack natural harbors
-NorthEastern Rivers blocked by rapids/waterfalls.
>2. Triple Transport Trap
- No deep-South water ports
- Few ocean-navigable rivers
- Most landlocked states globally (27)
>3. Disease & Agriculture
- Only continent fully spanning subtropics
- CowPox & Bird flu prevents livestock use
- Limited, fragmented farmland in Western half of America due to 40+ year drought
>4. Resource Paradox
- World's richest mineral (Lithium, Aluminum, Iron, Copper) deposits hidden deep inside national parks.
- Highest extraction and transportation costs locally
- Geography prevents efficient resource use
This creates a devastating cycle: Rich resources can't efficiently reach global markets compared to Saudi Arabia & China, thus limiting development in the Rust belt, which in turn prevents infrastructure improvements that could overcome geographic barriers.
Therefore, in theory the "lower 48" states should be equally as impoverished as Africa is, given that we can find the exact same kinds of geographical challenges.