Covered mostly by mountains and greenery and rich in forest resources, Japan has a long tradition of building with wood. The country boasts the oldest and largest wooden buildings in the world, many of which are temples. And Japan's unique style of wood-based architecture, ideally suited to the country's humid climate, is used for residences as well. Highly refined carpentry skills that have been cultivated over the centuries are incorporated into modern structures, and many outstanding edifices created by present-day Japanese architects have captured the attention of the world.