Yet a good system of natural waterways may be greater wealth to one nation than costly additional railroads are to another.

Good natural harbors on the waterways leading out to the oceans are a most important kind of national wealth, as are the navigable great lakes within the boundaries or on the borders of a country.

Just in proportion as these natural means of transportation are lacking, is the need to build costly artificial means of transportation.
Both in natural and in artificial means of transportation, America is well provided.

The straight coast line is 5700 miles long, and the line following indentations of the coast is about 64,000 miles.

The Great Lakes with a straight shore line of 2760 miles are the most important inland waterways in the world.