<P> On the Adriatic and Aegean coasts the climate is Mediterranean, on the Black Sea coast the climate is humid subtropical and oceanic, and inland it is humid continental . In the northern part of the peninsula and on the mountains, winters are frosty and snowy, while summers are hot and dry . In the southern part winters are milder . The humid continental climate is predominant in Bosnia and Herzegovina, northern Croatia, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Macedonia, northern Montenegro, the interior of Albania and Serbia, while the other, less common climates, the humid subtropical and oceanic climates, are seen on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria and Turkey; and the Mediterranean climate is seen on the coast of Albania, the coast of Croatia, Greece, southern Montenegro and the Aegean coast of Turkey . </P> <P> Over the centuries many woods have been cut down and replaced with bush . In the southern part and on the coast there is evergreen vegetation . Inland there are woods typical of Central Europe (oak and beech, and in the mountains, spruce, fir and pine). The tree line in the mountains lies at the height of 1800--2300 m . The land provides habitats for numerous endemic species, including extraordinarily abundant insects and reptiles that serve as food for a variety of birds of prey and rare vultures . </P> <P> The soils are generally poor, except on the plains, where areas with natural grass, fertile soils and warm summers provide an opportunity for tillage . Elsewhere, land cultivation is mostly unsuccessful because of the mountains, hot summers and poor soils, although certain cultures such as olive and grape flourish . </P> <P> Resources of energy are scarce, except in the territory of Kosovo, where considerable coal, lead, zinc, chromium and silver deposits are located . Other deposits of coal, especially in Bulgaria, Serbia and Bosnia, also exist . Lignite deposits are widespread in Greece . Petroleum scarce reserves exist in Greece, Serbia and Albania . Natural gas deposits are scarce . Hydropower is in wide use, from over 1,000 dams . The often relentless bora wind is also being harnessed for power generation . </P>

Where are the balkans and what countries occupy this region