What was the main economic activity in New France?

The main economic activity in New France, which was the French colony in North America during the 16th to 18th centuries, revolved primarily around the fur trade. European demand for beaver pelts, used to make fashionable hats and other clothing items, drove much of this trade. The French settlers traded with Indigenous peoples, who trapped the furs and exchanged them for European goods such as tools, weapons, and textiles. Besides the fur trade, agriculture was also key to the local economy, with the growth of crops like wheat and corn to sustain the population, although it was secondary to the fur trade in terms of economic focus and income generation.

New France, encompassing large parts of what are today Canada and the United States, relied on natural resources and trade for its economic survival and growth. The fur trade became a crucial part of New France's economy due to the collaboration with various Native American tribes, which played a significant role in acquiring the furs from the vast wilderness of the continent. This partnership with the Indigenous peoples was essential and led to the development of trading posts and relationships that were vital in the expansion of French influence in North America.

In addition to the fur trade, the French also attempted to cultivate the land and develop agriculturally based settlements. Colonists began to grow crops and raise livestock to support the population. The farming in New France, however, wasn't as prominent or profitable as the fur trade, partly because of the harsh climate and the soil that was less suitable for large-scale agriculture when compared to other colonies, such as those in the more temperate climates of British America to the south.

Moreover, because of New France's geographical advantages, with its access to a network of rivers and lakes, the region was strategically positioned to control the trade routes. These waterways were vital in transporting furs from the interior to the coast for shipment to Europe. Consequently, France also invested in the fishing industry, particularly in the areas around the Grand Banks off of Newfoundland, which was another notable, though lesser, aspect of the colony's economy.