Louisville's early economy first developed through the shipping and cargo
industries. Its strategic location at the Falls of the Ohio, as well as its
unique position in the central United States (within one day's road travel to
60% of the cities in the continental U.S.) make it an ideal location for the
transfer of cargo along its route to other destinations. The Louisville and
Portland Canal and the Louisville and Nashville Railroad were important links
in water and rail transportation. Louisville's importance to the shipping
industry continues today with the presence of the Worldport global air-freight
hub for UPS
