Look at the chart below, which shows railroad growth in different areas of the country.

Increase in Railroad Mileage

A 6 column table with 6 rows titled Increase in Railroad Mileage. Column 1 is not labeled with entries New England, Middle notes, Southern notes, Western notes and Territories, Pacific notes and Territories. Column 2 is labeled 1850 with entries 2,507, 3,202, 2,036, 1,276, blank, 9,021. Column 3 is labeled 1860 with entries 3,660, 6,705, 8,838, 11,400, 23, 30,626. Column 4 is labeled 1870 with entries 4,494, 10,964, 11,192, 24,857, 1,677, 52,914. Column 5 is labeled 1880 with entries 5,982, 15,872, 14,778, 52,589, 4,080, 93,301. Column 6 is labeled 1890 with entries 6,831, 21,536, 29,209, 62,394, 9,804, 129,774.

An increase in railroad mileage in an area led to great economic growth in that area. Between 1870 and 1890, which area had the greatest increase in railroads and, as a result, the most significant economic growth?
New England
the South
Western states and territories
the middle states