It was the easiest way to travel.
During various times in history, beginning from the earliest civilizations to the beginning of the 20th century, river travel was easier and more efficient than land travel via road. Roads were often overgrown with trees and bushes. Carting goods via a cart was limited, while large barges could hold large cargos and get the their destinations faster.
Also, in some places roads were dangerous due to criminals and bandits. Rivers were often safer in that travelers had more vision to spot trouble and bandits.
It was the easiest way to travel.
Most early civilizations were formed around river valleys.
bikes
Bicycles
For long distance travel, most people of the early 1900's used trains, but for shorter distances, horses and buggys were more common, along with an occasional car.
Most of the passenger river boat travels at 35 knots per hour.
Coastal islands, usually. Most people who own a personal boat use it for fishing, some just travel up and down the river or go skiing or wakeboarding.
which european contry claimed most of the mississippi river region in the early 1700's
The Rigveda often mentions the Indus River as well as the mythical Sarasvati River. These two rivers were significant in the geography and religious beliefs of the early Vedic people.
The geographic factor that was most important to the development of the early river valley civilizations would be the river. This is because it gave them fertile soil to grow crops.
saraswati
Most Mormon pioneers crossed the Mississippi River in early 1846.