Surface water flows down from the mountains through the valleys during the rainy season and the area is cultivated for cotton and grain. In the east the mountains drop away to the Rub al-Khali or 'Empty Quarter' of the Arabian Peninsula, a vast sea of sand. The arid coastal plains are fringed with sandy beaches. English is spoken in some urban areas. IDD is available in parts of the country.
Some hotels have facilities.
Facilities are available. Yemen Telecommunications Company. From time to time these change. 9.760 1.548 Columbus Press Ltd 1999.