The surrounding mountains in the east provide a natural shelter for people living in the region, against strong winds and high temperatures in summertime.
The inconsistent climate in Granada, caused by the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains, presents challenges for people living here. Specifically, if the summer temperatures do not rise high enough at the beginning of crop season, the snow on the mountains takes longer to melt and water becomes scarce, meaning it is hard to come by because of the little amounts that are available. On the other hand, when it rains too much, an excess amount of water settles in the valleys of the mountains and floods the crops. The goal of many local farmers in Granada is to predict when is the best time to plant their crops in order to obtain the highest yields. At the same time, these people hope the seasonal weather favors their predictions.
Since the climate in Granada hurts crop-production from time to time, local farmers have adapted to their environment by reserving certain areas of the land in the valleys for livestock. Farmers do not grow crops in the areas that are left alone for cows to graze and live in. In this way, farmers are provided with an alternative food source, for personal use and to sell locally in Granada which helps when crop-production is low. This adaptation has allowed communities in Granada to continue to survive, develop and expand into the present day.
