In recent years, we have seen great progress in houses building. The type of houses found in a certain part of the world depends to a certain extent on the building materials available there. Countries where stone is abundant tend to have more stone houses than a place where there is plenty of timber for example. However, climatic conditions affect the houses built to a greater extent.
In equatorial countries like Singapore and Malaysia, two main factors are responsible for the type of houses built: the heat of the sun and the fierceness of rainstorms. Our houses are light and airy but have steep roofs. In some places, houses are built on stilts because they may be in low-lying areas which get flooded easily.
In a hot and dry country such as Arabia, the houses are often box-shaped. They have thick stone walls which are painted white. White surfaces radiate heat while dark surfaces absorb it. The houses have no windows, only gaps with shutters over them. Even the door openings are very small and narrow. It is cool inside such houses. The roofs are also flat, so that when the sun goes down; one can sit on the roof and catch any cool breeze that is blowing. Sometimes, a water tank may be placed on the roof to catch the little rain that falls.
In cold regions, where there is heavy snow, the roofs, of the houses slope steeply so that the snow can slide off easily. If the roofs were flat, the snow would build up and the roofs might cave in under the weight. The houses also have thick stone walls so that the cold is kept out.
Some countries are more likely to be affected by earthquakes. In such places, the houses are made of light building materials. If the houses collapse in an earthquake, few people will get hurt and less damage is caused.
In some parts of the world, people take their homes along with them as they travel. These people are called nomads. The Bedouins of Arab lands wander over the desert, setting up tents wherever they stop to rest.