France's size created internal transport difficulties that coastal shipping could not solve as readily as it could in Britain. Britain's coastline and large rivers connected industrial centres before the later expansion of roads and railways. Many early industrial sites consequently developed near navigable water. Canals extended that network by adding artificial waterways. Transport geography helped Britain develop a more connected economy and helps explain why French territorial scale did not automatically translate into easy supply.
Notable Point · 41:18-44:34
Water transport connects Britain's early industrial economy
Coastal shipping, rivers, and canals helped Britain connect industrial centres while France faced greater difficulties moving goods internally.