Oman

Location:

Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE

Border Countries:

Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km

Terrain:

central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south

Geography:

strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

Capital:

Muscat

About Oman

The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of his father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.

Population:

3311640

Language:

Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects

Religion:

Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu) 25%

Phone Service:

modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable

Currency:

Omani rial (OMR)

Climate:

dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south

Natural Hazards:

summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts