What geographic feature significantly hindered development and population growth in South America?

The correct answer, focusing on the topography of the land, highlights how geographical features can create barriers to development and population growth. In South America, the diverse and often rugged terrain, including mountains like the Andes, plateaus, and valleys, impacts accessibility and transportation. These varied landforms can make it challenging to build infrastructure, connect cities, and facilitate trade. As a result, certain areas may remain isolated, limiting economic opportunities and leading to slower population growth in those regions.

While dense forests can also pose challenges due to difficulty in navigation and resource extraction, they are not as universally impactful as the overall topography. High elevations present difficulties in terms of agriculture and habitation, but they primarily affect specific regions rather than the continent as a whole. Extensive river systems, on the other hand, generally serve as avenues for transportation and trade rather than hindrances. Thus, while all these features play a role in shaping development patterns, it is the general topography of the land that serves as a significant hindrance across large areas of South America.