Map of the Americas and East Asia, with cities of Hong Kong, San Diego, and New York City. Public domain Distance by Sea Between Major Ports Before Panama Canal (in nautical miles) Route Distance San Diego to New York City 13,544 San Diego to Hong Kong 6,428 New York City to Hong Kong 19,875 What does this map show about the importance of the West Coast of North America? Its resources, such as lumber, were valuable to the Asian market, unlike New York City. It was far from Asia and required a route through Central America. Its ports were more convenient for trade with Asia than those on the East Coast. It was too far from New York City to be useful for trade.

Answer: I believe the answer is C) Its ports were more convenient for trade with Asia than those on the East Coast.!

Its ports were more convenient for trade with Asia than those on the East Coast.

Explanation:

For obvious geographical reasons, the west coast main advantage over the East Coast when it comes to international trade, is that it is closer to Asia. This has been particularly important in recent decades, when East Asia has become a worldwide center for manufacturing and trade, with highly advanced nations such as Japan, and South Korea, and fast-growing emerging economics such as China and Vietnam.

Most American leaders wanted the U. S. to have coasts on both oceans because of strategic reasons: both in military matters, and in commercial matters. This is why the Manifest Destiny ideology was developed, which was succesful because it resulted in the final colonization of the North American west coast by the United States.