It has been suggested that although the Atlantic separated the first colonies in North America from the mother country, it also served as the highway over which passed immigrants, merchandise and all communications – both ways – between them. Therefore, it was essential that all early settlements should be made on or near its shores. Have students first carefully examine maps – the larger the scale the better – of the eastern seaboard of the United States. They should locate all of the possible sounds, bays and wide river mouths that might have provided safe anchorage for early sailing vessels. Have them determine the locations of the early English, and other nations' colonies and see if, in fact, these are directly related to the "Atlantic connection." Which of these early settlements have outlasted their colonial importance and are still classified as major cities? Students might next examine the coasts of Latin American, Africa, Asia or Australia to determine their relative suitability for early exploration and settlement. Does the pattern of major cities found there today reflect their colonial beginnings? Which of the early settlements are no longer of major importance? Has changing technology, e.g., steamships, trains, airplanes, changed things? How? Hint: Keep in mind that the eventual growth – or lack of growth – of seacoast locations is largely determined by the extent and quality of the hinterlands that they draw upon or serve. Nonetheless, physical features that made the interiors of newly discovered world areas initially either accessible or inaccessible clearly have influenced the location of today's major seacoast cities.