How did the geography of the Aegean influence the civilizations that grew up there?

The geography of the Aegean area of the Mediterranean Basin influenced civilizations that grew up there in numerous ways. Perhaps most importantly, the rugged terrain on land and the indomitable presence of water led to the formation of distinctive, isolated city-states in Greece. Numerous different kinds of societies were thus allowed to develop, including the highly creative and otherwise successful city-state of Athens, which in turn influenced the overall development of western civilization in a generally positive way.