The United States' river network has contributed to the country's prosperity by allowing many goods to be transported via water. Shipping via water is between 10 and 30 times cheaper than transporting goods over land. This reduced cost makes countries with maritime transport options more capital-rich than countries where goods can only be shipped over land. The United States' major river systems — the Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas, Red, Ohio and Tennessee — have thus increased the country's potential economic power.
