Question: Could there be a thread that connects between open mindedness, religious adherence and political worldview?

For example, coastal inhabitants, even in ancient times, prove to be more open minded to the "stranger" (this one that is other than me) and nowadays they prove to be less religious and more democratic.
Whereas inhabitants inland prove to be quite the opposite.


Is there a connection, or is it just a geographical accident?


*this map (clipped by Djiezes) can add another perspective to this issue. http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/280B7D9F-9570-4A7F-AED0-E76137FBA35B/

My first guess would be that coastal areas - & especially in ancient times - come in contact with more strangers, different cultures, compared to the inland.
Harbor cities as hubs of trade ...

But I wouldn't limit it to this alone, there will be several more influencing factors as an explanation for this geographical curiosity.

An analogy with rural & urban areas and their correspondent open-mindedness/liberalness/a-religiousness could explain some of it.

Or maybe it's the climate, or the calming effect of the sea,

Just brainstorming here,

I'd prefer to hear a sociologist or historian respond to syncopaths question.