The mountains and deserts in China's geography have had significant impacts on its civilization throughout history. The mountains provided natural barriers that helped protect China from invasions, while also providing sources of valuable minerals and other natural resources. The deserts, on the other hand, made travel and communication more difficult, but also provided important trade routes and helped to shape the unique cultures and traditions of the regions surrounding them. Overall, the geography of China has played a major role in shaping its history and development as a civilization.