New England developed a strong shipbuilding industry instead of the South because it had the right natural resources and geographic features for building and using ships effectively.

Core conclusion

From an economic (and likely “economic map”) perspective, you can conclude:

  • New England had thick forests with plenty of timber , especially hardwoods like oak and pine, which were ideal materials for building ships.
  • New England’s coastline had many excellent natural harbors and ports , making it a practical place to launch, repair, and trade with ships.
  • The South focused more on plantation agriculture (tobacco, rice, indigo) and did not combine dense hardwood forests and numerous good ports in the same way New England did.

So, the main conclusion you’re meant to draw from the economic map is:

The shipbuilding industry developed in New England rather than in the South because New England had abundant hardwood forests for lumber and excellent ports, giving it the natural resources and coastal conditions needed for shipbuilding and trade.

If your question comes from a multiple‑choice set, this usually matches the option that says something like: “New England had excellent hardwood forests and ports.”