The differences in the economic development of the mid-Atlantic (Middle Colonies), New England, and Southern colonies can BEST be attributed to the geographic conditions there.
Geographic factors such as climate, soil quality, and access to waterways greatly influenced the types of agriculture and industry that developed in each region. The Mid-Atlantic colonies had fertile land suitable for diverse crops, New England’s rocky soil and colder climate led to a focus on trade, fishing, and small-scale farming, while the Southern colonies had a warm climate and fertile soil suitable for cash crops like tobacco and rice.