- Transportation: Rivers and bays provided a convenient means of transportation for goods and people. Plantations could easily ship their crops to market and receive supplies by water. This was especially important in the early days of the colonies when roads were scarce and travel was difficult.
- Water Source: Rivers and bays provided a reliable source of water for irrigation, which was essential for growing crops in the hot, humid climate of the southern colonies.
- Fertile Soil: Rivers often deposited rich, fertile soil along their banks, making them ideal for agriculture.
- Access to Markets: Being located near rivers and bays gave plantations easy access to markets in other colonies and in Europe. This was especially important for cash crops like tobacco, rice, and cotton.
- Defense: Rivers and bays could provide a natural defense against attack from Native Americans and other enemies. Plantations could build fortifications and use the waterways as a means of escape if necessary.
For all of these reasons, plantations were often located along rivers and on bays in the southern colonies. These locations provided the best conditions for growing crops, transporting goods, and defending against attack.