Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, and other materials that is shaped into bricks and dried in the sun. It is extremely durable and some of the oldest existing buildings are made of adobe. Compared to wood, adobe offers advantages in hot climates due to its greater thermal mass, but it is susceptible to damage in earthquakes. Adobe construction is common in parts of the Americas, Middle East, Africa, and Spain. It has been used for thousands of years by indigenous peoples in these regions. Adobe can be attributed to its simple design and affordability.