Stratfor has videos on the shaping influence of geography on America:
And on China:
These two videos explain why I've long said I'd never trade places with China. And that hold true even if China matches or surpasses America in raw power.
Although I have my doubts about the likelihood or durability of that projected power transition.
The India video is also interesting:
I've noted the "long walls" of the Himalayas that shape Indian defense issues.
Maps are the start of looking at options.
Stratfor has a lot of videos on the geography of countries of interest to you.