All around the world people build their houses in different ways. They are built to suit peoples’ life styles. Here are just a few examples.
This is a tepee, which was used by Native Americans. The people who used this kind of house were hunters. They would often have to move to hunt in different places at different times of the year. This kind of shelter could be moved quickly and easily. It was made from the skins of the animals that they hunted for food.
The houses in this photograph are built over a river. The people who live here fish in the river for food and use it for transport. Their houses must always be close to the river. They can even fish from the living room!
The next picture is from northern Canada. Igloos are made from snow and ice. Like the houses in the first picture, they are built by hunting people. This kind of house is not mobile. If snow and ice can be found, it can be built. Of course, during the winter in northern Canada, snow and ice are found almost everywhere.
This is the type of house that can sometimes be seen in the tropics. In the tropics the rainy season can be very wet, so it’s a good idea to build a house off the ground. A raised house like this is cooler in hot weather. It is also protected from animals, snakes and insects.