What natural and geographical features distinguished Greece from the countries of the ancient East?

What natural and geographical features distinguished Greece from the countries of the ancient East? How could this affect the knowledge of its inhabitants?

Ancient Greece was a maritime state, and its territory was also not very suitable for the development of the economy. In this connection, the Greeks had to mainly engage in gardening and cattle breeding. Also, the Greeks were engaged in sea fishing and sea trade. This state of affairs influenced the fact that the Greeks developed knowledge in navigation and shipbuilding.