Settlements developed near rivers for all of the following reasons except rivers were used to transport goods rivers were used to provide irrigation rivers provided fresh water for drinking C rivers provided natural barriers that protected settlements from invasions

The correct answer is D. Rivers provided natural barriers that protected settlements from invasions.<br /><br />Settlements developed near rivers for several reasons, including the use of rivers for transportation of goods, providing irrigation for agriculture, and supplying fresh water for drinking. However, rivers themselves did not serve as natural barriers to protect settlements from invasions. Instead, settlements often relied on other natural or man-made barriers, such as mountains or walls, for protection.