Capital: Muscat
Currency: Omani Rial (OMR)
Borders: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
The Sultanate of Oman is located in the Middle East and sits on the
Tropic of Cancer. The west of Oman borders the United Arab Emirates
and Saudi Arabia. The south joins Yemen. The east of Oman has a
2,092 km coastline looking out to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian
Sea. The landmass is 212,460 sq km and is comprised of a central
desert plain and scattered oases, with a low-lying coastal strip and
rugged mountains in the north and south. The highest point of
elevation is Jabal Shams at a height of 2980m. The valuable natural
resources of Oman are petroleum, copper, asbestos, marble,
limestone, chromium, gypsum and natural gas. Oman occupies a
strategic position on the Musandam Peninsula, adjacent to Strait of
Hormuz and is an important transit hub for world crude oil.
Oman declared independence in 1650 when the Portuguese were
successfully ousted. Oman has long had good political and military
ties with the United Kingdom. The capital of Oman is Muscat. Other
important cities include Salalah, Mughsail, Nizwa and Sur. The
population is comprised of Arabs, Baluchis, South Indians and
Africans. Religious groups include Ibadhi Muslims, Sunni Muslims,
Shi'a Muslims and Hindus. The people of Oman are 80% literate. The
national unit of currency is the Omani Rial.
As long as Oil prices remain stable, Oman will always prosper (until
oil supplies are exhausted). Other industries of Oman include
natural gas production, construction, cement and copper. Oman's
biggest export partners are Japan, Thailand and China. The transport
network of Oman consists of 32,800 km of highways and the important
ports of Matrah, Mina' al Fahl and Mina' Raysut.
Oman has a dry, desert climate. Along the coastal strip it is very
humid. Amidst the hot, dry interior, temperatures can soar above
40°C. The highest recorded temperature in Muscat was 47°C. Oman is
subject to a southwest summer monsoon between May and September.
These winds often whisk up violent sand and dust storms within the
interior of the country. |
