The geographic feature that played the largest role in creating independent Greek city-states was the rugged and mountainous terrain of Greece. The mountain ranges, such as the Pindus and the Balkans, created natural barriers between different regions, leading to the formation of separate and independent city-states. These mountainous terrains made communication and travel difficult, allowing the individual city-states to develop their own political, social, and economic systems. The isolation provided by the mountains also helped protect these city-states from invasions and external threats, allowing them to maintain their independence.
