How was Greece geography different from that of other early civilizations?

Answer 1

The Greeks settled along short river valleys separated by mountains. Other early civilisations were on land which was subject to inundation by large rivers and flooding as in Egypt, Mesopotamia and China.

Answer 2

The terrain of Greece was mostly small river valleys and plains surrounded by mountains, so the early settlers established separate independent city-states. Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus and Yangtse valleys had extensive fertile, well watered areas which were more amenable to larger communities and political structures.

Answer 3

Because of its mountainous terrain, Greece lent itself to local city-states over a large empire.