The best description of the relationship between the fall line and early settlement of Georgia is:
• C. Early population centers developed along the fall line because the rivers provided a means of transporting goods to the coastal ports, and the fast flowing rivers provided a source of power for grist mills.
This option highlights the significance of the fall line in facilitating trade and agriculture, which were critical for early settlements. The fall line marked a transition where rivers became less navigable due to waterfalls and rapids, making this region critical for settlement and economic development.