The dividing line between Europe and Asia is the Ural Mountains. Find the Ural Mountains in Figure 8.4.5. The physical barrier of the mountains is one factor that has led to significant cultural differences between the two areas. Now find India on the map. Earlier in the course you learned about the development of the Himalayan Mountains. Remember that they are developing where two continental plates are colliding. As you can see on the map, the mountains form a strong barrier between India and the rest of Asia. This separation has allowed India to develop a culture that is distinctly different from China's.