How has Europe's geography helped shape its rich history? Europe's diverse geography includes many winding rivers, stark mountains and vast plains. All these geographical figures play an important role in the occurrence of important historical events in Europe. The political geography of the continent also plays an important role. Perhaps in some cases it plays an even more important role than physical geography. Europe's ever-changing political geography is responsible for the creation of numerous landlocked countries and the formation of serious tensions between governments. Some of the most important events in European history may never have occurred if Europe's geography had been different or had not changed so much over time. Whatever the obstacle, Europeans have been able to overcome virtually anything. Europe itself is nothing more than a giant peninsula connected to the landmass of Eurasia. Europe is very diverse in physical geography. It has rivers all over the continent that provided borders and defense to countries. Rivers also serve as a means of transportation and have contributed to the economic and cultural geography of Europe. The continent is also very rich in mountain ranges which have isolated some countries, allowing them to develop their own unique cultures. These mountains, like rivers, also provide a natural defense to the countries. In Eastern Europe there are vast plains. These plains contribute to Eastern Europe's large agricultural industry. However, while these features have their advantages, they also have disadvantages. Mountains and rivers isolate many countries. This limited the exchange of goods and ideas, ultimately negatively blocking the new country. Sometimes new governments that reacted negatively led to more political and cultural problems, like the former Yugoslavia, and ended up creating an endless cycle of ever-changing borders. In a land of diverse and harsh physical geography and complex political geography, people have evolved into brighter and more modern people over time. European citizens are learning to overcome every obstacle in their path to create the greatest union in the world. They have overcome the barriers of rocky mountains and winding rivers, political tensions and much more. Of course, there will certainly be more tensions to come, but the Europeans will eventually overcome those too. The geography of Europe is absolutely crucial to everything important that happened there and still remains in society not only in Europe, but throughout the world.