which was the first overland expedition undertaken by the United States to the Pacific coast and back, was affected by many geographical phenomena, such as the rugged Bitterroot mountains and strong river currents in addition to the September Blizzard. 

The American expedition to the Pacific coast was proposed to explore the Missouri river and discover a waterway across North America in addition to studying the Indian tribes, botany, geology and wildlife in the region, as well as evaluate the probable intrusion of the already established British and Frech Canadian hunters and trappers in the area. Although, they did not achieve their main objective of discovering a waterway across North America, there were many other discoveries unique to this expedition due to change in the geographical features.

One of the most notable achievements of the Lewis and Clark Expedition was an enhanced insight of the geography of the Northwest and the creation of the first precise maps of the area. Lewis and Clark are credited to have prepared approximately 140 maps during this expedition. The expedition threw more light on the size and extent of the Rocky Mountains.

Prior to this expedition, it was believed that the Rocky Mountains could be crossed effortlessly in a single day and that the Rockies separated the source of the Missouri River from a great "River of the West" that would eventually join into the Pacific Ocean. However, the expedition established that it was an 11 day ordeal to cross the rocky mountains,that nearly cost them their lives. And yet another discovery was that an easy water route across the continent did not exist.
 

A second accomplishment of the expedition was an enhanced knowledge of the Northwest's natural resources. This expedition is also credited to have documented over 100 species of animals and approximately 176 plants.

Yet another achievement of the Lewis and Clark Expedition was that it paved way for friendly relations with some of the Native Americans.

Thus, geography affected and influenced the results and discoveries of this historical event, considering the fact that prior to the expedition they were expecting to find woolly mammoths, erupting volcanoes, and a mountain of pure salt!!

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