The year round climate is the coolest of all regions. The typical house in the north is rather well walled in with less space for windows, and ample space for platform known in the northern dialect as "toen". A shelf for a row of earthenware water jars is to be found on one side of the house. The walls tend to be slanted toward the eaves the main body of the house is usually surrounded by large open space. Close to the house, fruit bearing trees and "sompoi" known for its leaves that are used in the rites of the northern people are grown.