The unicameral house of representatives has 301 members, who are popularly elected to four-year terms. The main political parties are the General People's Congress and the Islamic Reform Grouping or Isiah party. The climate varies according to altitude. The coastal plain is hot and dusty throughout most of the year. The highlands are warm in summer and during winter, from October to March, nights can be very cold in the mountains.
Annual rainfall is extremely low and temperatures, particularly in summer, are very high.
The most pleasant time is from October to April. Warmer clothes are needed from November to April in the highlands. Yemen is predominately a Muslim country, and it is important to respect their customs - in particular their dress code. This pertains particularly to women, as Yemen is a male - dominated society. English is spoken in some urban areas.