The Rockies in North America are known as the Continental Divide. A continental divide is a geographical boundary where precipitation on one side drains into one ocean (like the Pacific) and precipitation on the other side drains into a different ocean (like the Atlantic or Arctic). The Rockies form the primary hydrological spine of the continent. ANSWER: (D) Rockies
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The Rockies serve as the Great Continental Divide of North America. Geographically, this means that any water falling to the west of the crest flows toward the Pacific Ocean (via rivers like the Colorado or Columbia), while water falling to the east flows toward the Atlantic (via the Gulf of Mexico) or the Arctic Ocean. This “spine” determines the direction of all major river systems on the continent. While the Andes also act as a divide in South America, the term “Continental Divide” is most famously and officially associated with the Rocky Mountains in North America.