The mountains of the Greater Antilles were of little commercial value because
A)the high-altitude soils were too poor.
B)the coastal plains and valleys were preferred by plantation owners.
C)the cooler temperatures were not right for the agricultural products Europeans desired.
D)there was too much precipitation at the higher altitudes.
E)runaway slaves made it dangerous for Europeans to farm there.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Plantation owners preferred the coastal plains and valleys for agriculture and settlement as they were more accessible and easier to cultivate than the mountainous regions. The mountains had poor soils, cooler temperatures, and heavier precipitation, making them unsuitable for the cash crops desired by Europeans. Furthermore, the mountainous terrain provided cover for runaway slaves, making it unsafe for Europeans to farm there.

The Mountains of the Greater Antilles Were of Little Commercial