The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, connects the Hudson River to Lake Erie, facilitating trade and transportation.

The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, connected the Hudson River to Lake Erie, creating a vital waterway that transformed trade and transportation in the United States. This canal, spanning over 350 miles, provided a direct route between New York City and the Great Lakes, which was crucial for moving goods like agricultural products, coal, and manufactured goods. It played a significant role in the economic growth of New York and the development of the American Midwest. The canal's success helped establish New York as a major trade hub and was a key factor in the nation’s westward expansion.