What geographical feature describes the continental United States flowing from its northern regions to the southern coast?

The geographical feature that describes the continental United States flowing from its northern regions to the southern coast is indeed a river. This is exemplified by major rivers like the Mississippi River, which runs from the northern part of the country down to the Gulf of Mexico. Rivers are significant geographical features that shape landscapes, provide water resources, and have historically played vital roles in transportation and commerce. They create natural pathways that connect different regions, facilitating trade and movement of people.

In contrast, mountain ranges are large elevated landforms that are typically not characterized by flowing from north to south like a river does. Valleys are low areas between mountains, which can be influenced by rivers but do not themselves describe a continuous flow from one region to another. Plateaus are elevated flatlands that do not exhibit a flowing characteristic and are more stable in height compared to rivers. Thus, rivers uniquely capture the idea of flow from northern to southern regions in the context of the continental United States.