Final answer:
Political boundaries in Europe have been influenced by a myriad of factors, but natural geographical features such as mountain ranges often provide consistent boundaries that are less likely to change due to political influence, such as the Pyrenees between France and Spain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the political and territorial changes in European history, focusing on the emergence of nation-states and the impact of religious and imperial conflicts. Political boundaries in Europe were fluid due to numerous factors, such as the Congress of Vienna, which redrew the map of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars, fostering a surge in nationalism and affecting national borders based on ethnicity, language, and religion. Historical maps, influenced by political perspectives and inaccuracies, present a challenge in pinpointing unchangeable borders, but features like mountain ranges and rivers often remained consistent despite political upheavals.
Natural boundaries are less likely to change due to political influence, as they are defined by geographical features that remain constant regardless of the political situation. For example, the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain have historically acted as a natural border, unlikely to shift due to politics. Similarly, when nations were identified by ethnicity and cultural affinities, their core areas wherein the population shared these attributes were less subject to change compared to disputed border areas or colonies.