The Rockies serve as the Continental Divide of North America. This is a hydrological boundary where water falling on the western side flows toward the Pacific Ocean, while water on the eastern side drains toward the Atlantic or Arctic Oceans. It acts as the primary “watershed” or drainage spine for the entire continent. ANSWER: (C) Rockies
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The Great Continental Divide is a prominent geographical line following the crests of the Rocky Mountains. It is the point of separation between river systems that flow to opposite sides of the continent. For example, the Colorado River flows west into the Pacific, while the Missouri-Mississippi system flows east into the Gulf of Mexico. Understanding this divide is essential for studying North American hydrology and climate. While the Appalachians and Sierra Nevadas also influence drainage, the Rockies are the official and most significant continental divide, stretching from Alaska down through Mexico and into the Andes.