Libya is overwhelmingly a hot desert country, but its long Mediterranean coastline creates a narrower, more habitable northern belt with milder temperatures and winter rainfall. The climate is dominated by arid conditions across most of the country, while the northwest and northeast also include semi-arid steppe and small Mediterranean-influenced areas. Summers are very hot inland and hot on the coast, winters are mild to cool, and rain is limited and highly seasonal. For residents and expats, the coast offers the most comfortable conditions, while the interior is best suited to people prepared for extreme heat, dryness, dust, and large day-night temperature swings.