The continent of Europe has many geographical features that have shaped the development of its many nations. The Mediterranean Sea, for example, has provided numerous nations the opportunity to develop their nautical navigation abilities. The long mountain chains in Europe have proved just as important to the cultural development as they have provided cultural separations between neighboring lands. The rivers of Europe have counteracted this defense, somewhat, providing countless waterways around the massive stone barriers. Each geographical feature has proved integral to the development and strength of the individual civilizations that have been spurred from each geographical feature.

The Mediterranean Sea has given birth to nautical navigation advances for all cultures finding their homes there. Without the access to the seaways of Europe, Africa, and Asia that the Mediterranean provided, navigation of the waters of the Earth would have been fairly elementary, both in ancient times as well...