What role does a towering mountain play on the psyche of a locale?

There are many cities that sit in the shadow of a great mountain(s). I have visited some of them. There is always a very different feeling about these places. Maybe it is the effect that the mountain actually physically has on the weather. Maybe it is that you can quickly orient with the mountain(s) on the horizon.

I was thinking there was something else. Maybe a psychological effect that such a landmark might play. Could there be some unifying going on, or something else?

If the mountain is a volcano, I imagine there is an element of fear. Here, I am really speaking about mountains that are not something full of doom and gloom. Sorry, Seattle.