Final answer:
The mountainous terrain and insular geography of Greece led to the development of individual city-states with shared religion and language but diverse governments and cultures, united by Panhellenic events like the Olympics and cultural practices such as symposia and epic storytelling.
Step-by-step explanation:
The geography of Greece played a pivotal role in the development of independent city-states, or polis, that shared religion and language but had highly varied governments and cultures. The mountainous terrain and the division of land by the sea into many small islands and valleys meant that communities were often isolated from one another. This isolation fostered the development of self-sufficiency and a unique character and governance in each city-state. All city-states were steeped in a common culture that valued participation in Panhellenic festivals like the Olympics, which promoted a strong sense of shared Hellenic identity.
Despite commonalities, each polis was fiercely independent, prioritizing its autonomy above broader unity, which led to a diverse range of governments, including tyranny, oligarchy, aristocracy, and democracy. Athens, known for its democratic system, experienced numerous governmental shifts, ultimately leading to developments in philosophical thought, as seen in Plato's discourse on an ideal state in 'The Republic'.
Trade and cultural exchange were also significant, as Greek colonies and poleis interacted with and influenced the larger Mediterranean world, further underscoring shared cultural practices like symposia and storytellers. Evidently, Greece's unique amalgamation of geographical division and cultural unity paved the way for a complex web of similar yet distinct city-states.