The areas of the world that have a mediterranean style climate are found at about 35 degrees north and south of the equator, on the western sides of continents. The distinctive feature of this climate that makes it easy to identify is the low level of rain in the summer a summer drought. Overall, the climate has warm winters and hot summers and a moderate amount of rainfall.

The natural vegetation of the mediterranean areas is a type of scrub forest with trees such as cork, fig and olive that has adapted to the summer drought. Much of this type of vegetation has been removed by human activity.