Inland areas have four seasons, allowing people to grow different crops and enjoy different outdoor activities throughout the year, including skiing.
Croatia sits in a region where Earth’s tectonic plates meet, so earthquakes happen more often than in many other European countries. Strong earthquakes can damage homes, schools and roads, especially in older cities like Zagreb.
Summers can be very hot and dry along the coast which makes forests and shrubs more likely to burn. Wildfires can threaten homes, harm wildlife and make it difficult for firefighters to keep people safe.
Because Croatia has many hills and mountains, there is sometimes not a very direct way of driving between towns. Especially where I am in Dubrovnik, there is only one road that goes along the side of a mountain. If there is ever a traffic jam, people have to wait a long time since that is their only route option.
Over many years, people have adapted to the environment by forming towns near fertile land with rich soil, meaning it is easier to grow fruits and vegetables there. This includes the Neretva Valley where I took the boat ride in my video and in the flat plains in central and eastern Croatia. This way, people are able to grow their own food to eat or to sell which also supports the economy.
People also build their homes to fit the climate. Along the coast, houses are often made of stone which keeps them cool in hot summers and protects them from strong winds.
