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Audio Book

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Audio Book

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Learn all about the different continents in the world - their climate and buildings in different places.

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Our Earth is amazing! It's made up of 7 huge landmasses called continents and each one is unique from the others. From the deserts of Africa to mega cities of Asia, watch as we explore the coolest places and most interesting facts about each of our continents.

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Instantly access over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids on Epic

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Turf houses are a traditional type of housing found uniquely in Iceland.

15. Courtyard Houses - Syria

The traditional housing structure of Syria is the courtyard house, which dates back to 3000 BC. The idea is that the house is built around a central courtyard area that can be reached from various rooms in the home. This concept was first utilized by nomads, who placed their tents in a circular shape, leaving a sheltered space in the middle that provided shelter to the animals. Permanent courtyard houses typically consist of 3 floors: a basement level that provides comfortable temperatures during extreme climate conditions, a ground level that makes up the main living quarters, and a second level that houses private rooms.

14. Cape Dutch architecture - South Africa

Cape Dutch architecture describes the unique building style found primarily in the Western Cape of South Africa. These Cape Dutch style homes were built to resemble the Dutch style townhomes of Amsterdam and are characterized by intricate rounded gables over the entrance and on the sides. Another unique feature of this architectural style is that the home has 1 principal area and 2 perpendicular wings, which create a sort of 3-sided garden or patio area in the back. Typically, Cape Dutch homes are finished in whitewash and have thatched roofs.

13. Rock-cut architecture - Ancient Egypt

Rock-cut architecture is an ancient form of creating buildings and monuments by scraping away solid rock in its natural setting. One of the most well known of these rock-cut structures is the Great Temple of Ramses II in Egypt. It was completed around 1280 BC, when it was carved out of the side of a cliff. The facade of the temple stands where the side of the cliff once was and the interior extends into the mountain. It stands 98 feet in height and 115 feet long. Along the entrance, 2 statues have been carved out on either side to represent Ramses II seated upon his throne with his defeated enemies (Libyans, Hittites, and Nubians) at his feet.

12. Mar del Plata - Argentina

The Mar del Plata architectural style first began in the city of the same name, Mar del Plata, in Argentina. In this country, these homes are also referred to as Californian style, given their resemblance to the mission revival architecture that was common during the late 1800's in the US. Both styles resemble the Spanish missions that were built in California. Mar del Plata homes were in high demand between 1935 and 1950 and can even be found in the similar seaside towns of Necochea and Miramar. Some of the common features of this architectural style include its use of stone exteriors and decorative log frames. Additionally, these homes are known to have triangular gables, mission tiled roofs, chimneys, and flower beds in front.

11. Hanok - Korea

Hanok style houses are traditional throughout the Korean Peninsula and noteworthy for their use of locally-sourced natural materials. One of the most distinguishing features of these homes is the slightly curved roof line that typically runs longwise when looking toward the entrance. Additionally, the flooring within these homes is built in the Ondol style, which allows the floors to be heated by smoke. Architects of hanok houses pay special attention to its placement within the natural surroundings. For example, a hanok should always be built with a mountain at the back and a river in the front.

10. Izba - Russia

The most traditional housing type that can be found throughout the rural areas of Russia is the izba. These logs are typically cut and shaped by using hand tools so that the timber fits snugly together. Any gaps between the logs are filled with clay found in a nearby river. This particular design was utilized in order to avoid using nails or other metal pieces due to the expense. The roof of an izba has two sloping sides with a series of windows beneath the gable. These windows are just openings in the wall, covered in wooden shutters or hanging animal skins to keep out rain or cold weather. Today, izbas built during the 19th century can be viewed at open-air museums. Older izbas are characterized by a straw roof and a horse's head, which has been carved into the long roof beam.

9. Adobe house - Regions of North America

Adobe homes are found in certain regions of North America, like Mexico and the southwestern region of the US, where the climate is hot and dry. Adobe refers to any kind of brick or mound of building material that has been made of sun dried earth (like clay, for example). This practice dates back over 4,000 years. Adobe structures are very durable and the thick walls help keep the interior of the home cool during hot summers. Indigenous groups were the first to use this structural design in North America, piling clay and wet earth into mounds to dry in the sun. When Spanish colonists arrived, they introduced a brick-making method.

8. Stone Cottage - Ireland

The most common traditional home in Ireland is the stone cottage, which dates back to the 18th century. Historians believe that these stone cottages were first built as a means of replicating the larger homes of wealthier families. Locally-sourced stone was used to build these homes, brought in from a 5-mile radius by pack animals. The floors in these cottage was either fashioned of packed earth or more stone, depending on availability of materials. Stone cottage interiors are similar in that a large fireplace, or hearth, is located in the center of the house. This placement allowed a bedroom to be located behind the fireplace to take advantage of the heat source.

7. Long house - Regions of North America

Longhouses are traditional homes that were traditionally built by the Iroquois Native American peoples in North America. Longhouses were considered long term housing and built of a pole frame that was covered in elm bark. These structures could measure as much as 200 feet in length, 20 feet in width, and 20 feet in height. This size would be large enough to house an entire clan or multi-generational family. Straw mats were often hung inside to create separate spaces and platforms were built on raised stilts to take advantage of the high ceilings as sleeping lofts. Historians believe that as many as 60 people could live inside a single longhouse.

6. Thatched Cottage - England

The thatched cottages of England are characterized by their unique roofs, which are made of straw, palm fronds, reeds, or some other dried plant material. This material is laid together so that rain and dampness roll off the outer layer, keeping the interior of the house dry. Additionally, this design helps insulate the home. Thatched cottages were popular in the rural areas of England through the 19th century due to the lack of other roofing materials. This type of roof was once considered a marker of poverty, however, it has once again grown in popularity over the last 3 decades and is now a sign of wealth.

5. Turf houses - Iceland

Iceland is known for its unique turf houses, which can be found across the country. These structures have evolved over the last 1,000 years and became popular due to the lack of other building materials. Turf houses consists of a stone foundation and a wooden frame. The frame is filled with blocks of turf, which is grass and the dirt held in place by its roots (also known as sod). The only exposed wood found on a turf house is the entrance door, which is often presented in an ornate design. Earlier styles of turf homes had a central fire in the middle of the long hall and featured bathrooms within the same building. The floors may be laid with stones, wood, or packed earth.

4. Log house - Northern Europe

Log houses, also known as log cabins, originated throughout northern Europe in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Russia, where forests and timber were been plentiful. These homes are characterized by the exterior, which is made of logs placed horizontally and fitted in place at the corners by careful notching in the wood. The practice of building log houses dates back to Viking and Medieval times. At the beginning of the 17th century, Swedish settlers introduced this home style to North America, where it was copied by other colonists and Native American tribes.

3. Jim Thompson House - Thailand

Jim Thompson was an architect and business investor, who lived in Thailand as both a member of the US military and a civilian just after the end of World War II. He designed a large home to display his extensive collection of Asian art that he acquired with the profits from his silk exchange business. Today, this home is a museum and continues to hold his art collection. It was designed by combining 6 traditional Thai houses that were brought down the river from Ayutthaya and Bangkrua. Some of these houses were placed on elevated platforms and all were connected by a staircase located in the center of the home. One of the homes became the central living room for the Jim Thompson house. When Jim Thompson mysteriously disappeared in 1967, his house came under management by the James HW Thompson Foundation.

2. Siheyuan house - China

Siheyuan-style homes consist of four buildings, which are arranged in a rectangular shape with a courtyard or garden in the center. Two of these buildings are located in a north-south direction and are considered part of the main house, while the other two are along an east-west axis and considered the side houses. The entrance is located at the southeastern corner and traditionally guarded by two lion statues on either side. The courtyard layout is designed with the natural elements in mind. The northern building, for example, is located in the direction of the water element, which is believed to help protect it from fire. This traditional house is found throughout China, particularly in Beijing, and has been used for over 2,000 years. In fact, this particular design is utilized for monasteries, businesses, temples, government buildings, and palaces as well.

1. Yurt - Central Asia

Yurts can be found throughout Central Asia. This circular home is generally associated with the nomadic tribes of Mongolia, although today they are also used as permanent structures and within city limits. Yurts are built by utilizing a collapsible wooden frame which is traditionally covered with wool felt or animal skins. Modern yurts may be covered with an extra layer of canvas to help protect against inclement weather. This structure has been used for thousands of years. One of its most important features is the steeply sloped roof, which has a hole in the center that allows smoke to escape from the home.

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15 Traditional Housing Types From Around the World

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Depending on where you live around the world, housing types look different.

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Houses From around the world

Ever wondered about the different types of houses from around the world? Since time began, people have been making a home for themselves. No matter the culture or the country, the concept of home has always been important. Whether it's a place or a feeling, humans are constantly reimagining and redefining what a home means.

Join us on a tour of types of homes from around the world as we explore some types of houses that can be found in the countries where Compassion works.

Round houses in Burkina Faso

A land of deserts in the north, and green landscapes in the south, Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. Many people in Burkina Faso live in the countryside rather than in cities. There are many different types of huts but traditional homes are made of mud. In rural Burkina Faso, nomadic cattle keepers often live in huts made from woven reeds.

"Honai" homes in Indonesia

Indonesia has more than 18,000 islands, of which only 6,000 have people living on them. There are many types of wildlife including the world's smallest fish. Among the lush landscapes, traditional types of houses are often built on stilts to prevent them from getting wet as many people live near the water's edge.

In Papua, Indonesia, some families still live in the traditional homes called "honai" made from wooden slats and thatched roofs. Traditionally, fires are built in the centre of the round homes.

Circular houses with straw roofs in Uganda

Evelyn sits with her daughter Betty outside their home in northern Uganda. Known for its beautiful countryside, rolling hills and huge mountains, Uganda is home to many animals including endangered mountain gorillas. Houses tend to be circular with a straw roof with the walls often made from mud.

Houses made from banana leaves in Rwanda

Rwanda is a country of beautiful green mountains and valleys, famous for the mountain gorillas that can be found hiding in the dense jungle that covers the mountain slopes. Houses are often made of mud, grass and banana leaves with clay tiles and thatch used for roofs.

Traditional Ethiopian houses

Ethiopian traditional houses are round and made of wooden strips covered with a sticky combination of wet soil, clay, sand, animal dung and straw. The roofs tend to be made of thatch. Random fact - Ethiopia has the most number of donkeys in the world.

Homes made from the land in Kenya

Kenya is famous for its huge game reserves where you can spot some of Africa's most amazing animals. The landscape is magnificent with mountains, savannahs and the Great Rift Valley, a 4,000 mile valley filled with diverse landscapes.

The Maasai people live in Kenya. They are semi-nomadic, so travel from place to place and are well-known for their traditional clothing. The Maasai tribe in Kenya live in manyatta, a grouping of small homes made from mud, cow dung and sticks. The homes are grouped together in a compound to help protect them from wild animals.

Bamboo houses in Thailand

Known by many people as the 'land of a thousand smiles', Thailand is famous for being friendly and welcoming. It's a popular place for people to go on holiday for this reason, as well as the amazing natural beauty of the country. Many Thai houses are made of wood and bamboo with posts raising them off the ground. The Kingdom of Thailand was known as Siam until 1939. This is where the Siamese cat originally came from!

Homes on stilts in Bangladesh

More than 700 rivers flow across Bangladesh and travelling by boat is an everyday experience for many Bangladeshi people. Bangladesh is a low-lying country that often gets flooded so houses built near water are made out of bamboo and put on stilts.

Palm frond houses from Sri Lanka

The stunning country of Sri Lanka is a teardrop-shaped island off the coast of India. It has beautiful beaches and rainforests and is famous for its elephants and tea. In rural areas, people weave their homes out of palm fronds and sticks.

Rural homes made of mangrove and eucalyptus in Ecuador

Ecuador is the smallest country in South America and is named after the equator which passes right through it. The Galapagos Islands, famous for their amazing wildlife, are a part of Ecuador. Natural materials such as palm, mangrove, bamboo, eucalyptus and earth are often used to build houses in rural areas such as these ones.

Colourful homes in Ghana

Why go for something drab when you can have something this fabulous? Comfort in Ghana says:

Sometimes I feel that I am dreaming. I am not used to receiving so much attention. I pray for God's blessing for all the people who are showing so much love to me and my children through the sponsorship. Now I do not have any worry when night falls or when the rain comes because we have a proper house. I am so grateful to all who made it possible.

Strong homes made of wood and concrete in the Dominican Republic

Homes are often painted in cheerful colours in the Dominican Republic, brightening up neighbourhoods. Many people in the Dominican Republic still live on "bateys," abandoned sugarcane factories where companies built small homes for the factory workers, which lack most services. Due to the number of hurricanes and storms, houses need to be strong which is why concrete and wood are used to build homes.

Traditional Mexican houses

The home of the sombrero, Mexico has mountains, rainforests, deserts and beaches. Ancient cultures such as the Aztecs built huge pyramids and impressive cities. Traditional Mexican houses are built with adobe, which is a muddy mixture of clay soil, straw and water. The mixture is made into bricks which are then used to build houses.

Tiny, colourful homes in Haiti

In Port-au-Prince, Haiti, tiny, colourful homes are built very close to one another on the hills surrounding the city. Small and mountainous, Haiti is known for natural disasters. Houses need to withstand earthquakes and regular hurricanes, but many people cannot afford this. Some are still living in camps after the earthquake of 2010 and others have built basic concrete-walled houses with tin roofs.

Brightly coloured houses in Colombia

Colombia is sometimes called the 'gateway to South America' because it sits where South America joins with Central and North America. Its landscape has huge variety; from beautiful beaches to snow-capped mountains, deserts and sweeping grasslands. Houses are often brightly painted and made from cinder blocks, clay, cow manure or hay.

Tiny homes

Shelters around the world come in all shapes and sizes and are often built out of any material close to hand. In Nicaragua, Mariling stands outside her home where she lives with her family. No matter her circumstances, Mariling knows she has value.

Diverse homes in Bolivia!

Bolivia has 36 native cultures with an extraordinary array of customs which means there is no one way to build a home in this country. From stone to straw, structures are built from every material under the sun. It's common to see houses made of board and roofs covered with branches. People normally cook outside over an open fire.

Corrugated iron homes in Honduras

Meet Kenya and Tanya, twin sisters from Honduras who live with their mother Miriam in a house made out of corrugated iron and wood. Miriam shares, "When I was pregnant, I was worried. I didn't have a place to live. My husband wasn't around. I had an ultrasound when I was six months pregnant and found out I was having twins. I started to cry. I didn't know what to do."

Kenya and Tanya were enrolled into their local Compassion project and thanks to sponsorship, they've been enabled to go to school, receive nutritional assistance and medical check-ups. When you sponsor a child, you not only empower them to overcome poverty, you also help to lighten the burden on parents. Miriam is delighted to have a home to raise her daughters.

We'd like to invite you to sponsor a child with Compassion today. You can make a difference to a child's life and empower them to overcome poverty.

Houses to withstand volcanoes and earthquakes in El Salvador

El Salvador is Spanish for 'the saviour' or Jesus Christ. It is the smallest country in Central America, and because it often has volcanic eruptions, as well as earthquakes, it's sometimes known as the Land of Volcanoes. Rural houses are made of sand, clay, water and straw with a large front porch.

Wood homes to keep out the cold in Peru

Nearly half of Peru is covered by the Amazon rainforest, the largest rainforest in the world. Many people move to Lima, the capital city, to look for work every year. Because they can't afford to live inside the city, many residents live in the hills surrounding the city, in homes made out of any materials they can find. In the highlands of Peru, where temperatures can dip below freezing, families build their wood homes as tightly as possible to keep out the cold winds.

Crowded urban homes in Guatemala

Many people believe that the name Guatemala comes from the word Guhatezmalh, which was the name the Mayan tribes gave to a volcano in Guatemala. It means the "Mountain That Vomits Water." Urban neighbourhoods can be cramped with houses piled on top of each other.

Favelas from Brazil

Brazil has the biggest population in South America. It's well-known for the Amazon Rainforest and the Amazon River that weaves throughout the jungle, stretching for 4,250 miles, making it the longest river on Earth. Over a third of the population live in a type of dense housing called favelas with no secure shelter, safe drinking water supply or toilets. They are extremely poor neighbourhoods and people living there are often vulnerable to land disputes, dangerous gangs and natural disasters.

Urban communities in the Philippines

The Philippines are made up of over 7,000 islands but most people living there live on only 11 of these islands. It gets its name from King Philip II of Spain, who ruled during the 16th Century when the Philippines was controlled by the Spanish. A popular tourist destination, poverty levels are still high with many people living in urban densely housed communities.

Traditional mud houses from Togo

Togo is a narrow country on Africa's west coast which became independent of France in 1960. It has beautiful beaches, lakes, and cities with exotic markets. Types of houses vary, but in the countryside they're often made from mud bricks and mud plaster, with iron sheeted roofs.

Traditional grass or mud houses in Tanzania

Tanzania is the largest country in east Africa and is known for having plenty of amazing wildlife. Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and once an active volcano, can be found in Tanzania. Traditional types of houses are made of grass or mud, strengthened by large wooden poles. They are built from the roof downwards, rather than the bottom up as most houses are.

There are different types of shelters all around the world but one thing stays the same - the desire for a home. As you wander through your community, look around at the many types of houses and see how many different ones you can spot.

Sponsor a child and bring them hope today

If you enjoyed looking at different types of houses from around the world, visit our family portraits around the world or find out more about churches in different countries.

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25 Different Types of Houses From Around the World | Compassion UK

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From round houses to homes made from banana leaves, join us on an exciting tour of 25 different types of houses from around the world.

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Dollar Street - showing different homes (poor to rich) in many locations. 

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Dollar Street - showing different homes (poor to rich) in many locations. 

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Move the arrows at the top from left to right to look at different homes and the materials used.

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Dollar Street

Dollar Street is a Gapminder project - free for anyone to use.
Today we feature 425 families in 66 countries, with 43534 photos and 7995 videos and counting!

Want to add a home? There are still lots of places in the world not represented on Dollar Street. You can find all the resources for documenting a home here.

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Dollar Street - photos as data to kill country stereotypes

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Imagine the world as a street. Everyone lives on Dollar Street. The poorest to the left and the richest on the right. Every else live somewhere in between. Where would you live? Visit Dollar Street and see homes from hundreds of homes from all over the World.