What conclusion can be made about the river systems in Europe and Africa?

The conclusion that river systems in Europe helped development while hindering it in Africa underscores the contrasting roles these waterways play in the two regions. In Europe, rivers like the Rhine, Danube, and Thames facilitated trade, transportation, and urbanization, ultimately contributing to the continent's economic growth and development. These rivers provided routes for commerce, enabled access to resources, and encouraged the establishment of cities along their banks, which spurred cultural and economic exchanges.

In contrast, the river systems in Africa, such as the Congo and Niger, while crucial to local communities, often presented significant challenges to development due to factors like seasonal flooding, lack of navigability, and the presence of dangerous wildlife. This can hinder the establishment of robust trade networks and urban growth in the same way that European rivers promoted them. As a result, the interaction of geography with the social, political, and economic contexts of these regions has led to differing developmental outcomes, making the assertion about the conflicting roles of river systems in Europe and Africa accurate.