Describe how transportation influenced the initial settlement and subsequent development of your home city or state.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Norfolk, Virginia was one of the early settlements in this state due to its proximity to water and near the Jamestown Settlement. Its transportation evolution began mainly as water transportation due to its accessibility to the Elizabeth River. Downtown Norfolk grew around the river, which became a harbor for the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia. As Norfolk's population grew, there became a need for more living area and people began to settle further away from the harbor area. As a result of this migration, horse drawn vehicles became the choice mode when people traveled to and from the river. Eventually the mode of transportation that originated Norfolk and Portsmouth, water, became its main industry for employment. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, located in Portsmouth, is a major employer for the area which services and repairs ships used for the transportation of military goods and service personnel.