Needs of the People. Perhaps the single biggest factor influencing the daily life of Greece was the climate. Climate determined the sort of vegetation that grew wild, the number and types of trees available, and the sorts of plants and animals that could be cultivated. It affected the needs of the population (demand) and determined as well the ways in which they could meet those needs (supply). Climate influenced demand by determining how much clothing and what kind of shelter would be necessary to protect people from the elements, and also determined how much food would be necessary to sustain life. As for supply, climate determined the sorts of materials available for building, the fibers available for clothing, and the types of foods that were available. Beyond these areas, the effects of climate could be subtle and far-ranging: for example...