Ancient history

Why did the Virginia company choose inland site for Jamestown?

The Virginia Company did not choose an inland site for Jamestown. In fact, the company specifically instructed its colonists to settle on the coast. The colonists ignored these instructions and instead settled on the James River, about 60 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean.

There are a few possible reasons why the colonists chose this inland site. First, the James River was a major transportation route, and the colonists wanted to be able to easily access both the ocean and the interior of the continent. Second, the site was relatively defensible, as it was surrounded by water on three sides. Third, the land around the James River was fertile and well-suited for agriculture.