This learning resource focuses on the Chesapeake Tidewater region, emphasizing the physical features that shaped early colonial settlements. Students will explore the topographical elements of the area, including river inlets, coastal plains, and waterways, through a visual map. The activity encourages critical thinking by prompting students to observe and reflect on how the geography of the region influenced trade, defense, and living conditions for early settlers. A key learning objective is for students to understand the interplay between geography and the decisions made by the first English colonists in the 17th century, particularly their preference for river access over the stability of dry inland areas. This context will help students appreciate the environmental factors that defined the Southern Colonial Model.