Mountains and rugged terrain play the largest role in creating independent Greek city-states. The mountainous landscape of Greece, with its numerous valleys and isolated regions, made communication and travel between different city-states difficult. As a result, these natural barriers contributed to the development of individual city-states that were able to govern themselves and maintain their independence. Additionally, the mountainous terrain provided strategic advantages for defense, allowing city-states to fortify their positions and protect themselves from outside threats.
