Oman

This article is about the Arabian sultanate. For other uses, see Oman (disambiguation).

Sultanate of Oman سلطنة عُمان Salṭanat ʻUmān
Flag National emblem
Anthem: Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani National anthem of Oman
Capital and largest city	Muscat
Official languages	Arabic
Demonym(s)	Omani
Government	Unitary Islamic state under absolute monarchy
• Sultan	Qaboos bin Said al Said
• Deputy Prime Minister	Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said
Legislature	none
Establishment
• Imamate established	751
Area
• Total	309,501 km2 (119,499 sq mi) (70th)
• Water (%)	negligible
Population
• 2010 census	2,773,479
• Density	9.2/km2 (23.8/sq mi) (220th)
GDP (PPP)	2011 estimate
• Total	$81.767 billion
• Per capita	$26,519
GDP (nominal)	2011 estimate
• Total	$71.888 billion
• Per capita	$23,315
HDI (2011)	0.705 high (89th)
Currency	Rial (OMR)
Time zone	UTC+4 (GST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+4
Drives on	right
Calling code	+968
ISO 3166 code	OM
Internet TLD	.om

Oman (/oʊˈmɑːn/ oh-MAAN; Arabic: عمان ʻUmān), officially

called the Sultanate of Oman (Arabic: سلطنة عُمان Salṭanat ʻUmān), is an Arab state in southwest Asia on

the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It has a strategically important position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. It is

bordered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is

formed by the Arabian Sea on the southeast and the Gulf of Oman on the northeast. The Madha and Musandam enclaves are

surrounded by the UAE on their land borders, with the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman forming Musandam's coastal boundaries.

From the 17th century, Oman had its own empire, and vied with Portugal and Britain for influence in the Gulf and Indian Ocean. At its peak in

the 19th century, Omani influence or control extended across the Strait of Hormuz to Iran, and modern day Pakistan, and as far south as

Zanzibar. As its power declined in the 20th century,

the sultanate came under heavy influence from the United Kingdom, though Oman was never formally part of the British Empire, or a British

protectorate. Oman has long-standing military and political ties with the United Kingdom and the United States, although it

maintains an independent foreign policy.

Oman is an absolute monarchy in which the Sultan of Oman exercises ultimate authority but its parliament has some

legislative and oversight powers. In November

2010, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) listed Oman, from among 135 countries worldwide, as the nation most-improved during

the preceding 40 years. According to

international indices, Oman is one of the most developed and stable countries in the Arab world.

As with other Gulf nations, oil is the mainstay of the economy, providing a large proportion of GDP, although compared to its neighbours Oman

is a modest producer. Agriculture and fishing are also important sources of income. A diversification drive includes tourism; the policy of Omanisation aims to replace expatriate workers with

locals.

History

Main article: History of Oman

Stone Age

World Heritage Graves in Al Ayn, Oman.

Dereaze, located in the city of Ibri, is the oldest known human settlement in the area, dating back as many as 8,000 years to the late

Stone Age. Archaeological remains have been discovered here from the Stone Age and the Bronze Age;

findings have included stone implements, animal bones, shells and fire hearths, with the later dating back to 7615 BC as the oldest signs of

human settlement in the area. Other discoveries include hand-molded pottery bearing distinguishing pre-Bronze Age marks, heavy flint

implements, pointed tools and scrapers.

On a mountain rock-face in the same district, animal drawings have been discovered. Similar drawings have also been found in the

Wadi Sahtan and Wadi Bani Kharus areas of Rustaq, consisting of human figures carrying weapons and being confronted by wild animals. Siwan

in Haima is another Stone Age location and some of the archaeologists have found arrowheads, knives, chisels and circular stones which may have

been used to hunt animals.

Wadi Shab, Oman, 2004.

Sumerian tablets refer to a country called Magan or Makan, a name believed to refer to Oman's ancient copper mines.

Mazoon, another name used for the region, is derived from the word muzn, which means heavy clouds which carry abundant water. The present-

day name of the country, Oman, is believed to originate from the Arab tribes who migrated to its territory from the Uman region of Yemen;

many such tribes settled in Oman, making a living by fishing, herding or stock breeding, and many present day Omani families are able to trace

their ancestral roots to other parts of Arabia.

From the 6th century BC to the arrival of Islam in the 7th century AD, Oman was controlled and/or influenced by three [[Persian

people|Persian]] dynasties, the Achaemenids, Parthians and Sassanids. In the 6th century BC, the Achaemenids exerted a strong

degree of control over the Omani peninsula, most likely ruling from a coastal center such as Sohar. By about 250 BC, the [[Parthian

Empire|Parthian]] dynasty had brought the Persian Gulf under their control and extended their influence as far as Oman, establishing

garrisons in Oman to help control the trade routes in the Persian Gulf. In the 3rd century AD, the Sassanids succeeded the Parthians and held

the area until the rise of Islam four centuries later.

Arrival of Islam

File:Bahla6.jpg

The Bahla Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Omanis were among the first people to come in contact with and accept Islam. The conversion of the Omanis is usually ascribed to Amr ibn al-As, who was sent by Muhammad around 630 AD to invite

Jayfar and 'Abd, the joint rulers of Oman at that time, to accept the faith. In submitting to Islam, Oman became an Ibadhi state, ruled by an

elected leader, the Imam. During the early years of the Islamic mission, Oman played a major role in the Wars of

Apostasy that occurred after the death of Muhammad, and also took part in the great Islamic conquests by land and sea in Iraq, Persia

and beyond. Oman's most prominent role in this respect was through its extensive trading and seafaring activities in East Africa and the Far

East, particularly during the 19th century, when it propagated Islam to many of East Africa's coastal regions, certain areas of Central Africa,

India, Southeast Asia and China. After its submission to Islam, Oman was ruled by Umayyads between 661–750, Abbasids between 750–931,

932–933 and 934–967, Qarmatians between 931–932 and 933–934, Buyids between 967–1053, and the Seljuks of Kirman between 1053–

1154.

Portuguese colonization

A decade following Vasco de Gama's successful voyage around the Cape of Good Hope and to India in 1497-98, the Portuguese explorers arrived in

Oman and occupied Muscat for a 143-year period, between 1507 and 1650, where their fortress still remains. In need of an outpost to protect

their sea lanes, the Portuguese built up and fortified the city, where remnants of their colonial architectural style still remain.

Rebellious tribes eventually drove out the Portuguese, but were pushed out themselves about a century later, in 1741, by the leader of a

Yemeni tribe leading a massive army from various allied tribes, beginning the current line of ruling sultans. Excepting a brief Persian

invasion in the late 1740s, Oman has been self-governing ever since.

No foreign power controlled the entirety of what is now Oman. The majority of the territory was always ruled by tribes, with colonial control

contained to a few strategic port cities. Oman, as it exists now was never under the total sway of European colonization.

Oman, East Africa and the Indian Ocean

The Sultan's Palace in Zanzibar, which was once Oman's capital and residence of its Sultans.

In the 1690s, Saif bin Sultan, the Imam of Oman, pressed down the East African coast. A major obstacle to his progress was [[Fort

Jesus]], housing the garrison of a Portuguese settlement at Mombasa. After a two-year siege, the fort fell to bin Sultan in

1698. Thereafter the Omanis easily ejected the Portuguese from Zanzibar and from all other coastal regions north of Mozambique, with

the aid of the Somali Ajuuraan State. The Persians invaded Oman in 1737. They were driven out in 1749 when the [[Al

Said]] dynasty came to power. They continue to rule to this day.

Zanzibar was a valuable property as the main slave market of the East African coast, and became an increasingly important part of the Omani

empire, a fact reflected by the decision of the 19th century Sultan of Oman, Sa'id ibn Sultan, to make it his main place of residence

in 1837. Sa'id built impressive palaces and gardens in Zanzibar. Rivalry between his two sons was resolved, with the help of forceful British

diplomacy, when one of them, Majid, succeeded to Zanzibar and to the many regions claimed by the family on the

East African coast. The other son, Thuwaini, inherited Muscat and Oman.

A History of Omani presence is also known in Comoros archipelago in the Indian ocean, which led to influences in Comorian culture from the

clothing, to the wedding ceremonies.

Oman and Gwadar

Main article: Gwadar

The Empire of Oman around the middle of the 19th century.

In 1783, Oman's Saiad Sultan, defeated ruler of Muscat, was granted sovereignty over Gwadar, a coastal city located in the Makran region of

what is now the far southwestern corner of Pakistan, near the present-day border of Iran and at the mouth of the Gulf of Oman. After regaining control of Muscat, this

sovereignty was continued (via an appointed wali, "governor") and close relations were maintained with the Emirs of Sindh. The

Sultans of Muscat retained sovereignty over Gwadar until 1958.

In 1955, Makran acceded to Pakistan and was made a district – although Gwadar, at the time, was not included in Makran. On 8 September 1958,

Pakistan purchased the Gwadar enclave from Oman for $3 million. Gwadar

then became a tehsil in the Makran district.

Jebel Akhdar War

Main article: Jebel Akhdar War

The Hajar Mountains, of which the Jebel Akhdar, or Green Mountain, is a part, separated the country into two distinct

regions: the interior, known as Oman, and the coastal area dominated by the capital, Muscat. In 1913, control of the country split. The interior was

ruled by Ibadite imams and the coastal areas by the sultan. Under a British-brokered agreement in 1920 the sultan recognised the autonomy of

the interior.

Imam Ghalib bin Ali Al Hinai (1912 – 29 November 2009) was the elected Imam of The Imamate of Oman. Relations between the Sultan of Muscat, Said bin Taimur, and Imam Ghalib were ruptured over a dispute

concerning the right to grant oil concessions. A subsidiary of the Iraq Petroleum Company was intensely interested in some promising geological

formations near Fahud. Under the terms of the 1920 treaty, the Sultan of Muscat was responsible for the external

affairs of Oman. The Sultan claimed all dealings with the oil company as his prerogative.

The Imam, on the other hand, claimed that since the oil was in his territory, anything dealing with it was an internal matter. In December 1955, Sultan Said bin Taimur sent troops of the Muscat and Oman Field Force to occupy the main centres in

Oman, including Nizwa, the capital of the Imamate of Oman, and Ibri. Imam Ghalib bin Ali along with his younger brother

Talib bin Ali Al Hinai, led the Imamate of Oman in the Jebel Akhdar War against Sultan Said bin Taimur's attack on his lands. In July

1957, the Sultan's forces were withdrawing but were repeatedly ambushed, sustaining heavy casualties. Sultan Said bin

Taimur, however, with the intervention of infantry (two companies of the Cameronians) and armoured car

detachments from the British Army and aircraft of the RAF was able to suppress the rebellion. Talib's

forces retreated to the inaccessible Jebel Akhdar. The war lasted 5 years until the

Sultan of Muscat's Armed Forces, aided by colonial British soldiers from the Special Air Service, defeated the imamite forces in 1959. Imam

Ghalib went into exile in Saudi Arabia. He continued for a short time to lead a temporary government-in-

exile from Dammam, Saudi Arabia while the fighting continued in Oman. The Treaty of Seeb was terminated and the autonomous Imamate of Oman

abolished giving way to the present day Sultanate. Imam Ghalib continued to receive many visitors from Oman

up until his death and was deeply respected by the people of Oman. He was known for his faithful adherence to his religion, and his generosity.

He died on 29 November 2009 at the age of 96 in Dammam.

Dhofar rebellion

Main article: Dhofar Rebellion

The rule of Sultan Said bin Taimur was characterised by a fuedal and isolationist approach. However, oil reserves were discovered in 1964 and

extraction began in 1967. A rebellion began in 1965 in the southern region of Dhofar. Leftist forces were pitted against government troops.

As the rebellion threatened to overthrow the Sultan's rule in Dhofar, Sultan Said bin Taimur was deposed in a bloodless coup (1970) by his

son Qaboos bin Said, who expanded Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces, modernised the state's administration and introduced social reforms.

The uprising was finally put down in 1975 with the help of forces from Iran, Jordan, Pakistan and the British Royal Air Force.

Modernisation and reform

Until the 1970s, Oman was one of the more traditional and most isolated countries in the Gulf region. After deposing his father in 1970, Sultan

Qaboos opened up the country, embarked on economic reforms and followed a policy of modernisation by spending on health, education and welfare.

In 1981 Oman became a founding member of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council.

It was some time before political reforms were introduced. However, in 1997 Sultan Qaboos decreed that women could stand for election to - and

vote for - the majlis al-shura or Consultative Council. Two women were duly elected to the body. In 2002, voting rights were extended to all

citizens over the age of 21. Voters were previously chosen from among tribal leaders, intellectuals and businessmen. The first elections to the

Consultative Council, the majlis al-shura, in which all citizens over the age of 21 could vote were held in 2003. In 2004, the Sultan appointed

Oman's first female minister with portfolio.

There was, however, little change to the actual political make-up of the government and the Sultan continued to rule by decree. Nearly 100

suspected Islamists were arrested in 2005 and 31 people were convicted of trying to overthrow the government. They were, however, pardoned in

June.

2011 Omani protests

Main article: 2011 Omani protests

Unrest has been inspired by the Arab Spring groundswell of political dissent in the region. Protests began in January 2011, with protestors

demanding political reforms and jobs. They were dispersed by riot police and in February 2011 one demonstrator was shot dead by police.

Sultan Qaboos reacted by promising jobs and benefits. In October 2011, elections were held to the Consultative Council, for which Sultan

Qaboos promised greater powers. The following year, the government began a crackdown on Internet criticism. In September 2012, trials began of

'activists' accused of posting "abusive and provocative" criticism of the government online. Six were given jail terms of 12–18 months and

fines of around $2,500 each.

Politics

Main articles: Politics of Oman and Human rights in Oman

Legal system

The Sultan's Al Alam Palace in Old Muscat.

The Basic Statute of the State is the cornerstone of the Omani legal system and it operates as a

constitution for the country. The Basic Statute was issued in the year 1996 and thus far has only been amended once, in 2011, as a response to protests.

The Basic Statute of the State stipulates that the system of governance is Sultani hereditary in the male descendants of [[Turki bin Said,

Sultan of Muscat and Oman|Sayyid Turki bin Said bin Sultan]], that the Sultan is the Head of the State and the Supreme Commander of Armed

Forces, that he is to preside over the Council of Ministers, and that he is responsible for promulgating laws and

appointing judges.

The Basic Statute of the State also stipulates that the Council of Ministers is the body responsible for implementing the

general policies of the state, that Council of Oman, which is made up of the State Council, an appointed body, and the Shura Council, an

elected body, is responsible for reviewing legislation and submitting it to the Sultan for Royal Assent, and that the judiciary is guaranteed

independence.

Foreign policy

Main article: Foreign relations of Oman

Since 1970, Oman has pursued a moderate foreign policy and expanded its diplomatic relations dramatically. Oman is among the very few Arab

countries that have maintained friendly ties with Iran. Wikileaks disclosed US diplomatic cables which have shown that cordial relations between Oman and Iran have borne fruit for

the United Kingdom (in helping release British sailors imprisoned by Iran). The same

cables also portray the Omani government as wishing to maintain cordial relations with Iran and as having continuously turned down US diplomats

requesting Oman to take a sterner stance against Iran.

Military

Main article: Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces

Oman's armed forces, the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF), including the Royal Household troops, numbered 120,000 in 2010 and consisted of 105,000

personnel in the Royal Army of Oman (RAO), equipped with over 120 main battle tanks and 37 Scorpion tanks; 8,100 personnel in the

Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) operating 180–200 combat aircraft, trainers, transports and helicopters; and 6,200 personnel in the [[Royal

Navy of Oman]] (RNO) sailing 64 patrol and coastal vessels. Paramilitary units include the Tribal Home Guard (Firqats) of 8,000 personnel

organized in small tribal teams, a Royal Oman Police (ROP) coast guard of 400, and a small ROP air wing. Funded directly by the Sultan, the

elite Royal Household brigade, naval unit, and air unit number 6,400, including two special forces regiments. Oman holds one of the world's

largest stocks of Scud missiles, ranging at an estimate of over 30,000 ballistic missiles. In 2008, Oman spent 7.7% of GDP on military

expenditures. According to Times Online, Oman is home to the world's only camel-backed bagpipe military band.

Geography

Coast of Sur, Oman.

Main articles: Geography of Oman and Geology of Oman

Geography of Oman
Coastline	2,092 km
Bordering countries	Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen

Oman lies between latitudes 16° and 28° N, and longitudes 52° and

60° E.

A vast gravel desert plain covers most of central Oman, with mountain ranges along the north (Al Hajar Mountains) and southeast coast,

where the country's main cities are also located: the capital city Muscat, Sohar and Sur in the north, and

Salalah in the south. Oman's climate is hot and dry in the interior and humid along the coast. During past epochs Oman was covered by

ocean, witnessed by the large numbers of fossilized shells existing in areas of the desert away from the modern coastline.

Omani desert landscape.

The peninsula of Musandam (Musandem) exclave, which has a strategic location on the Strait of Hormuz, is separated from the rest of

Oman by the United Arab Emirates. The series of small towns known collectively as Dibba are the

gateway to the Musandam peninsula on land and the fishing villages of Musandam by sea, with boats available for hire at Khasab for trips into

the Musandam peninsula by sea.

Oman's other exclave, inside UAE territory, known as Madha, located halfway between the Musandam Peninsula and the main body of Oman, is part of the Musandam governorate, covering approximately 75 km² (29 sq mi). Madha's boundary was settled

in 1969, with the north-east corner of Madha barely 10 m (32.8 ft) from the Fujairah road. Within the Madha exclave is a UAE

enclave called Nahwa, belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah, situated about 8 km (5 mi) along a dirt track west of the

town of New Madha, consisting of about forty houses with a clinic and telephone exchange.

Climate

Main article: Climate of Oman

Oman has a hot climate and very little rainfall. Annual rainfall in Muscat averages 100 mm (3.9 in), falling mostly in January.

Dhofar is subject to the southwest monsoon, and rainfall up to 640 mm (25.2 in) has been recorded in the rainy season

from late June to October. While the mountain areas receive more plentiful rainfall, some parts of the coast,

particularly near the island of Masirah, sometimes receive no rain at all within the course of a year. The climate generally is very hot,

with temperatures reaching around 50 °C (122.0 °F) (peak) in the hot season, from May to September.

Climate data for Oman
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	81 (27)	79 (26)	84 (29)	93 (34)	102 (39)	104 (40)	100 (38)	97 (36)	97 (36)	95 (35)	86 (30)	81 (27)	92 (33)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	63 (17)	63 (17)	70 (21)	75 (24)	84 (29)	88 (31)	86 (30)	82 (28)	81 (27)	75 (24)	70 (21)	64 (18)	75 (24)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.50 (12.7)	1.00 (25.4)	0.60 (15.2)	0.70 (17.8)	0.30 (7.6)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0.30 (7.6)	0.50 (12.7)	3.9 (99)
Source: weather.com

Flora and fauna

Nakhal palm tree farms in Oman's Batina Region.

Desert shrub and desert grass, common to southern Arabia, are found, but vegetation is sparse in the interior plateau, which is largely

gravel desert.

The greater monsoon rainfall in Dhofar and the mountains makes the growth there more luxuriant during summer; coconut palms grow

plentifully in the coastal plains of Dhofar and frankincense is produced in the hills, with abundant oleander and varieties of

acacia.

The Al Hajar Mountains are a distinct ecoregion, the highest points in eastern Arabia with wildlife including the Arabian tahr.

Indigenous mammals include the leopard, hyena, fox, wolf, hare, oryx, and ibex. Birds include the vulture, eagle,

stork, bustard, Arabian partridge, bee eater, falcon, and sunbird. In 2001, Oman had nine endangered species of mammals and five endangered

types of birds and nineteen threatened plant species. Decrees have been passed to protect endangered

species, including the Arabian leopard, Arabian Oryx, Mountain gazelle, Goitered Gazelle, Arabian tahr, [[Green sea

turtle]], Hawksbill Turtle and Olive ridley turtle. However, the Oman Arabian Oryx sanctuary is the first site ever to be deleted from

UNESCO's World Heritage List due to the government's decision to reduce the site to 10% of its former size so that the remainder could be

opened to oil prospectors.

Administrative divisions

Main article: Regions and governorates of Oman

Since 28 October 2011, Oman is divided into eleven governorates (muhafazah):

• Ad Dakhiliyah
• Ad Dhahirah North
• Al Batinah North
• Al Batinah South
• Al Buraimi
• Al Wusta
• Ash Sharqiyah North
• Ash Sharqiyah South
• Dhofar
• Mascat
• Musandam

Below the governorates, Oman is divided into provinces (wilayat).

Environment

Drought and limited rainfall contribute to shortages in the nation's water supply, so maintaining an adequate supply of water for agricultural

and domestic use is one of Oman's most pressing environmental problems, with limited renewable water resources; 94% of available water is

used in farming and 2% for industrial activity, with the majority sourced from fossil water in the desert areas and spring water in hills and

mountains. Drinking water is available throughout the country, either piped or delivered.

The soil in coastal plains, such as Salalah, have shown increased levels of salinity, due to over exploitation of ground water and encroachment

by seawater in the water table. Pollution of beaches and other coastal areas by oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and [[Gulf

of Oman]] is also a persistent risk.

Demographics of Oman
Language	Arabic
Religion	Sunni Islam, Ibadi Islam
Ethnic groups	Arab, Baloch, South Asian, African
Life expectancy	73.13 years

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Oman

According to the 2010 census, the total population was 2.773 million and of those, 1.96 million were Omanis. The population has grown from

2.340 million in the 2003 census. In Oman, about 50% of the population lives in Muscat and the Batinah coastal

plain northwest of the capital; about 200,000 live in the Dhofar (southern) region, and about 30,000 live in the remote [[Musandam

Peninsula]] on the Strait of Hormuz.

Some 600,000 foreigners live in Oman, most of whom are guest workers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India and the

Philippines.

Religion

File:Grand Mosque Setting Sun.jpg

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in Oman and one of the largest in the world.

Around 75% of the population are Ibadhi, a form of Islam distinct from the Sunni and Shia denominations and the only remaining

expression of Kharijism, which was created as a result of one of the first schisms within the religion. 24% of Omanis are [[Sunni

Muslims]], and the Zaydi Shi'ite sect forms the remaining 1% of the Omani population. The Oman government does not keep statistics

on religious affiliation, but most citizens are Muslims. Non-Muslim religious communities

individually constitute less than 5% of the population and include various groups of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Zoroastrians,

Sikhs, Baha'is, and Christians. Christian communities are centered in the major urban areas of Muscat, Sohar,

and Salalah and include Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and various Protestant congregations, organizing along linguistic and ethnic

lines. More than 50 different Christian groups, fellowships, and assemblies are active in the Muscat metropolitan area, formed by migrant

workers from Southeast Asia, there are also small communities of ethnic Indian Hindus and Christians. Citizenship is

not granted to immigrants in Oman and many are present on work visas for a specific duration.

Economy

Economy of Oman
File:Ruwi CBD.jpg Central Bank of Oman
Currency	Omani riyal (R$, OMR)
Fiscal year	Calendar year
Central Bank	[[Central Bank of Oman]]
Stock market	Muscat Stock Market

Main article: Economy of Oman

Graphical depiction of Oman's product exports in 28 color-coded categories.

Oman's Basic Statute of the State expresses in Article 11 that the "National Economy is based on justice and the principles of a [[Market

economy|free economy]]."

Omani citizens enjoy good living standards, but the future is uncertain with Oman's limited oil reserves. Other sources of income, agriculture and industry, are small in comparison and count for less than 1% of the country's exports,

but diversification is seen as a priority in the government of Oman. Agriculture, often subsistence in its character, produces [[Phoenix

dactylifera|dates]], limes, grains and vegetables, but with less than 1% of the country under

cultivation Oman is likely to remain a net importer of food.

Since the slump in oil prices in 1998, Oman has made active plans to diversify its economy and is placing a greater emphasis on other areas of

industry, such as tourism.

Oil and gas

Petrochemical tanks in Sohar.

Oman's proved reserves of petroleum total about 5.5 billion barrels, 24th largest in the world.

Oil is extracted and processed by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), with proven oil reserves holding approximately steady, although oil

production has been declining. In 2009, production was estimated at

816,000 barrels per day.

Commercial export of oil began in 1967 and since Sultan Qaboos' accession to the throne in 1970, many more oil fields have been found and

developed. In June 1999, PDO discovered a new oil field in southern Oman after drilling and testing three wells

which demonstrated the commercial viability of the reservoir.

Work is continuing on the RO 503.876 million (US$1.3 billion) oil refinery project in Sohar, which was due to go into

operation in 2006 with a 116,400 barrels per day (18,510 m³/d) refining capacity, with the short to mid-term future of Oman resting on the project. In

2004 the Oman Oil Refinery was supplied with about 78,200 barrels per day (12,430 m³/d) for refining, while PDO began using steam injection technology in

several wells to increase their productivity.

Natural gas has increased greatly in importance due to the exploitation of gas fields and the opening of a processing plant at Sur, on the

coast south of Muscat. Oman's natural gas reserves are estimated at 849.5 billion cubic meters, ranking 28th in the world, and production in

2008 was about 24 billion cubic meters per year.

Mineral resources

Oman's mineral resources include chromite, dolomite, zinc, limestone, gypsum, silicon, copper, gold,

cobalt, and iron. Several industries have grown up around them as part of the national development process which, in turn,

have boosted the minerals sector's contribution to the nation’s GDP as well as providing jobs for Omanis. The mineral sector's operations

include mining and quarrying, with several projects recently completed, including: an economic feasibility study on silica ore in Wadi Buwa

and Abutan in the Wusta Region, which confirmed that there were exploitable reserves of around 28 million tonnes at the two sites; a

feasibility study on the production of magnesium metal from dolomite ore; a draft study on processing limestone derivatives; a project

to produce geological maps of the Sharqiyah Region; economic feasibility studies on the exploitation of gold and copper ores in the Ghaizeen

area; a study on raw materials in the wilayats of Duqm and Sur for use in the Sultanate's cement industry; and a study on the

construction of a new minerals laboratory at Ghala in the Governorate of Muscat. Metkore Alloys is due to build a world-class 1,650,000-

tonnes-per-annum capacity ferro-chrome smelter in Oman with an envisaged investment of $80 million.

Industry

The industrial sector is a cornerstone of the Sultanate’s long-term (1996–2020) development strategy for diversifying the sources of national

income and reducing dependence on oil; it is also capable of helping to meet Oman's social development needs and generate greater [[added

value]] for national resources by processing them into manufactured products.

The Seventh Five-Year Development Plan creates the conditions for an attractive investment climate, providing a strategy for the industrial

sector aiming to develop the information technology and telecommunications industries. The Knowledge Oasis Muscat complex has been set up

and expanded, and Omani companies are developing their technological potential through collaboration with various Japanese and German

institutions.

There are industrial estates in Sohar, Sur, Salalah, Nizwa and Buraimi providing industries with the resources for expansion. Provision

of Natural gas to the industrial estates in Sohar and Salalah, help to promote expansion of those industries reliant on large quantities of

energy; tax exemptions are given as an incentive to encourage their expansion and development, with the industrial sector expected to

contribute 15% to the country's GDP by 2020.

Development plans

Sohar port is expected to transform Oman's economy.

The Omani economy has been radically transformed over a series of development plans beginning with the First Five-year Plan (1976–1980). At

Sultan Qaboos's instruction, "Vision 2020", a plan for Oman's economic future to the year 2020, was set out at the end of the first phase of

the country's development (1970–1995), outlining the country's economic and social goals over the 25 years of the second phase of the

development process (1996–2020).

Oman 2020, held in June 1995, has developed the following aims with regard to securing Oman's future prosperity and growth:

• To have economic and financial stability
• To reshape the role of the Government in the economy and to broaden private sector participation
• To diversify the economic base and sources of national income
• To globalize the Omani economy
• To upgrade the skills of the Omani workforce and develop human resources

A free-trade agreement with the United States took effect 1 January 2009, eliminating tariff barriers on all consumer and

industrial products, also providing strong protections for foreign businesses investing in Oman.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Oman

Al-Bustan Palace Hotel.

Tourism, another source of Oman's revenue, is on the rise. Oman's

attractions include largely untouched beaches, mountains, Wadis and deserts. With a coastline of 1700 km, Oman offers clean beaches

especially popular with visitors. Few beaches are private, except some attached to the beach resort hotels, or those adjoining military or

official property. Wadis are green, lush oases of palm trees, grasses, and flowers. Some wadis have year-round running water, with deep, cool

pools in which it is quite safe to swim if the currents are slow. A Falaj (pl. aflaaj) is a system for the distribution of water and is

commonly used to describe irrigation channel systems downstream of water sources. Some aflaaj in Oman were built more than 1,500 years ago,

whilst others were built at the beginning of the 20th century. In many areas, the only water available is attained by drilling wells to depths

of dozens of meters.

Numerous forts and castles are included among Oman's cultural landmarks and, together with its towers and city walls, have historically been

used as defensive bastions or look-out points, as well as the seats of administrative and judicial authority. There are over 500 forts,

castles, and towers in various architectural styles, built to defend more than 3200 km coastline from potential invaders. The capital

Muscat, with its forts, palaces and old walled city is popular with visitors.

Inside of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Muscat.

Souqs can be found in many of the towns throughout the country. One of the oldest preserved souqs in Oman is Muttrah, on the Corniche,

consisting of a maze of pathways; gold and silver jewelry is found in abundance as well as numerous wooden carvings, ornaments and spices and

traditional implements. Household goods make up the bulk of the wares. Today the capital area also has a number of Western European-style

Shopping Malls, mainly situated in Qurum, but also extending to the Al Khuwair area of Muscat, where a variety of shops, ranging from boutiques

to chain stores, can be found. The largest mall in the country is the Muscat City Centre

which includes a French Carrefour hypermarket. Another mall, The Muscat Grand Mall has now opened in alkhuwair. As well as ten other big

hypermarkets in Oman with the most popular being Lulu Hypermarket.

Other popular tourist activities include sand skiing in the desert, scuba diving, rock climbing, trekking, surfing & sailing, cave exploration,

birdwatching, bull fighting, and camel races. The Sohar Music Festival happening in Sohar every October/November attracts more and more

tourists each year. The Muscat Festival, usually held in January and February, is similar to the Dubai Shopping Festival, but smaller in

scale, where traditional dances are held, temporary theme parks open, and concerts take place. Another popular event is The Khareef Festival

held in Salalah, Dhofar, which is 1,200 km from the capital city of Muscat, during the monsoon season (August) and is similar to

Muscat Festival. During this latter event the mountains surrounding Salalah are popular with tourists as a result of the cool weather and lush

greenery, rarely found anywhere else in Oman.

Labor

The estimated workforce was 920,000 in 2002. These days average pay is around 100 OMR to 150 OMR per month. A large proportion of the

indigenous population were still engaged in subsistence agriculture or fishing. The skilled local labor force is small, and many of the larger

industries depend on foreign workers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, India, and Sri Lanka. Oman's foreign workers

send an estimated US$30 billion annually to their Asian and African home states, more than half of them earning a monthly wage of less than

US$400. The largest foreign community is from the south Indian states of

Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka or come from Maharastra, Gujarat and the Punjab, representing more than half of entire workforce in Oman.

Salaries for overseas workers are known to be less than for Omani nationals, though still from two to five times higher than for the equivalent

job in India.

The minimum working age for Omani citizens was raised from 13 to 15 in 2003, but this provision is not enforced against the employment of

children in family businesses or on family farms. The minimum working age for foreign workers is 21. The minimum wage for non-professional

workers was US$260 per month in 2002. However, many classes of workers (domestic servants, farmers, government employees) are not required to

receive the minimum wage and the government is not consistent in its enforcement of the minimum wage law. The private sector working week is 40

to 45 hours long, while government officials have a 35-hour working week.

Labor unions

Oman Law was amended during February 2010 to allow the formation of labor unions and there are now approximately 70 such unions within the

Sultanate. Although collective bargaining is not permitted, there exist labor-management committees in firms with more than 50

workers. These committees are not authorized to discuss conditions of employment, including hours and wages. The Labor Welfare Board provides a

venue for grievances.

Inflation

As oil prices have risen to a record high, so has inflation. The government depends mostly on oil revenue, more than on tax returns from

companies and other government-owned companies. The government is also Oman's largest employer, so the high interest that government gets

increases the prices of food and construction equipment. The government did support the fuel prices so it doesn't increase the inflation and to

make the price suitable for people on low wages.

The minimum wage has been changed from 120 Rials a month to 140 Rials because of high records of inflation driven by high prices of oil. In February 2011, the minimum wage was increased from 140 Rials per month to 200 Rials per month.{{citation

needed|date=March 2011}}

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Oman

Oman maintains the following road links to its neighboring countries:

• United Arab Emirates: Oman has several good road connections at Buraimi (Al Ain), Waddi Hatta

(Wajaja), Khamat Mulahah (Fujairah) and Bukha.

• Yemen: Route 47: Raysut to Sarfait in Oman – Yemen border. The road then goes to Hawf, Al Faydami, [[Al

Ghaydah]]. Another road is from Thumrait to Al Mazyonah in Oman – Yemen border.The road then goes to Shisan, Al Kurah, Al Ghaydah.

• Saudi Arabia: Desert road through Al Mashash. There is also a new road under construction to link the two

countries.

Oman National Transport Company or ONTC is the Oman's public bus service company. Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport are

the two main airports in Oman. A rail link has been proposed connecting all major GCC nations and Oman is party to this project. The Muscat

Port or Port Sultan Qaboos (Mina Qaboos as its locally known) is the prime maritime gateway of Oman. Other ports have been built in Salalah

and Sohar. The Sohar port will be one of the largest in the region once construction completely finishes. Oman is also constructing the

Al Duqm Port and drydock.

Oman Air is the national carrier of Oman. Formerly Gulf Air was the national carrier of the Sultanate, but as other Arab nations

withdrew from the joint venture, Oman too withdrew. It was the last country to do so.

The Oman Ferries Company maintains the two diesel-powered, high-speed, car ferries – Shinas and Hormouz. The ferries are used for travel

between Muscat and Khasab. Khasab is strategically located in Musandam on the southern tip of the Strait of Hormuz

and is controlled by Oman. Mainland Oman is separated by a small strip of UAE territory from

Musandam.

Education

Main article: Education in Oman

Before 1970, only three formal schools existed in the whole country with fewer than 1000 students receiving education in them. Since Sultan

Qaboos came to power in 1970, the government has given high priority to education to develop a domestic work force, which the government

considers a vital factor in the country's economic and social progress. Today there are over 1000 state schools and about 650,000 students. In

1986, Oman's first university, Sultan Qaboos University, opened. University of Nizwa is also one of the fastest growing Universities in

Oman with a newly completed research center and a growing department of Information Systems. The department of Information Systems of the

University of Nizwa is perhaps the biggest in the Gulf in terms of students' population. Among notable American Professors include Dr. Richmond

Adebiaye who is considered an expert in Information Systems and Security. Other post-secondary institutions in Oman include [[Higher College of

Technology]] and its six other colleges of technology, six colleges of applied sciences (including a teacher's training college), a college of

banking and financial studies, an institute of Sharia sciences, and several nursing institutes. Some 200 scholarships are awarded each year for

study abroad.

University of Nizwa

The University of Nizwa was established in 2002 by the Decree of His Majesty the Sultan Qaboos as the first non-profit university in the

Sultanate of Oman; it remains the only institution of its kind in the nation. Upon the satisfaction of all requirements set forth by the

Ministry of Higher Education and the Higher Education Council, the University of Nizwa was granted legal status by ministerial decision No.

1/2004 on 3 January 2004. On 16 October 2004, the University of Nizwa opened the doors to its inaugural class of 1,200 students, 88% of whom

were Omani women. The current campus is located near the base of the famous Jabal al-Akhdhar in Birkat al-Mouz, 20 km NW of Nizwa. The

construction of a new campus, located near the new Farq-Hail highwa began in March 2010. The university is currently in the final stage of

institutional accreditation in accordance with the academic standards established by the Oman Academic Accreditation Authority.

Though the student body comprises native Arabic speakers, the official language of academic instruction is English, making the university a

bilingual institution. English language proficiency is achieved in a year-long intensive course as part of the academic General Foundation

Program.

Pre-university education in Oman has three stages: primary, preparatory, and secondary. Six years of primary schooling are followed by

preparatory school. Academic results of the preparatory exams determine the type of secondary education the student will receive. Nine private

colleges exist, providing two-year post secondary diplomas. Since 1999, the government has embarked on reforms in higher education designed to

meet the needs of a growing population, only a small percentage of which are currently admitted to Higher Education Institutions. Under the

reformed system, four public regional universities will be created, and incentives are provided by the government to promote the upgrading of

the existing nine private colleges and the creation of other degree-granting private colleges.

The adult illiteracy rate was estimated at 28.1% for the year 2000 (males, 19.6%; females, 38.3%). In 1998, there were 411 primary schools with

313,516 students and 12,052 teachers. Student-to-teacher ratio stood at 26 to 1. In secondary schools in 1998, there were 12,436 teachers and

217,246 students. As of 1999, 65% of primary-school-age children were enrolled in school, while 59% of those eligible attended secondary

school. In the same year, public expenditure on education was estimated at 3.9% of GDP. In 1993, there were 252 literacy centers and 176 adult

education centers. Three teachers' colleges were functioning as of 1986. The Institute of Agriculture at Nazwa became a full college by 1985.

Sultan Qaboos University opened in 1986. In 1998, all higher-level institutions had 1,307 teachers and 16,032 students.

Apart from the schools for Omani nationals, various other schools are present in Oman too that accommodate the children of the huge expatriate

population of Oman. These include Indian Schools, Bangaldeshi Schools, Sri Lankan Schools, Pakistani Schools, The American School in Muscat,

The American British Academy and the Philippine School Muscat.

Science and technology

An oasis in Oman providing a source of drinking water for animals and humans.

Most research conducted in Oman has been done at the behest of the government; agriculture, minerals, water resources, and marine sciences have

drawn the most attention. Sultan Qaboos University, founded in 1985, has colleges of science, medicine, engineering, and agriculture. In 1987–

97, science and engineering students accounted for 13% of college and university enrollments.

The Institute of Health Sciences, under the Ministry of Health, was founded in 1982. Muscat Technical Industrial College (later renamed the

Higher College of Technology), founded in 1984, has departments of computing and mathematics, laboratory science, and electrical,

construction, and mechanical engineering. The Oman Natural History Museum, founded in 1983, includes the

national herbarium and the national shell collection. All of these organizations are located in Muscat.

Meteorites

The central desert of Oman is an important source of meteorites for scientific analysis. Since

1999, search campaigns in Oman have provided about 20% of the world's meteorites. These include rare

meteorites from Mars and the Moon. The meteorite accumulations in the gravelly central desert play an important role in increasing

knowledge of conditions in the early Solar system.

Health

Life expectancy at birth in Oman is estimated to be 74.47 years in 2012. As

of 1999, there were an estimated 1.3 physicians and 2.2 hospital beds per 1,000 people. In 1993, 89% of the population had access to health

care services. In 2000, 99% of the population had access to health care services. During the last three

decades, the Oman health care system has demonstrated and reported great achievements in health care services and preventive and curative

medicine. In 2001, Oman was ranked number 8 by the World Health Organization.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Oman

See also: Islam in Oman, List of traditional games in Oman, List of museums in Oman, Music of Oman, Cinema of Oman, and Women in Oman

Although Arabic is Oman's official language, there are native speakers of different dialects, as well as [[Balochi

language|Balochi]] (the language of the Baloch from Baluchistan western-Pakistan, eastern Iran), and southern Afghanistan or

offshoots of Southern Arabian, and some descendants of Sindhi sailors. Also spoken in Oman are Semitic languages only distantly related to Arabic, but closely related to

Semitic languages in Eritrea and Ethiopia. Swahili and English are also widely

spoken in the country due to the historical relations between Oman and Zanzibar the two languages have been linked historically. The

dominant indigenous language is a dialect of Arabic and the country has also adopted English as a second language. Almost

all signs and writings appear in both Arabic and English A significant number also speak Urdu, due to the influx of Pakistani migrants during the late

1980s and the 1990s.

A khanjar knife, the traditional dagger of Oman (c. 1924).

Oman is famous for its khanjar knives, which are curved daggers worn during holidays as part of ceremonial dress. During the Medieval era,

khanjars became highly popular as they symbolized Muslim sailors, and later various types of khanjars were made, representing various sailing

nations in the Muslim world. Today, traditional clothing is worn by most Omani men. This typically consists of an ankle-length, collarless robe

called a dishdasha that buttons at the neck with a tassel hanging down. Traditionally, this tassel would be dipped in perfume. Today

the tassel is merely a traditional part of the dishdasha.

Women wear the hijab and abaya. Some women cover their faces and hands, but most do not. The abaya is

a traditional dress and currently comes in different styles. The Sultan has forbidden the covering of faces in universities. On holidays, such

as Eid, the women wear traditional dress, which is often very brightly colored and consists of a mid-calf length tunic over

trousers. The Abaya is mostly worn in the capital, whereas in the interior regions brightly colored dresses are the usual attire.{{citation

needed|date=March 2011}}

Food

Main article: Cuisine of Oman

The main daily meal is usually eaten at midday, while the evening meal is lighter. During Ramadan, dinner is served after the Taraweeh

prayers, sometimes as late as 11 pm. However these dinner timings differ according to each family and when they eat, for instance some

families would choose to eat right after maghrib prayers and have dessert after taraweh. Arsia is a festival meal, served during

celebrations, which consists of mashed rice and meat, sometimes chicken instead. Another popular festival meal is shuwa, which is meat

cooked very slowly (sometimes for up to 2 days) in an underground clay oven. The meat becomes extremely tender and it is infused with spices

and herbs before cooking to give it a very distinct taste. Fish is often used in main dishes too, and the kingfish

is a popular ingredient. Mashuai is a meal consisting of a whole spit-roasted kingfish served with lemon rice. Rukhal bread is a

thin, round bread originally baked over a fire made from palm leaves. It is eaten at any meal, typically served with Omani honey for

breakfast or crumbled over curry for dinner. Chicken, fish and mutton are regularly used in dishes. The Omani Halwa is a very

popular sweet, its basically cooked raw sugar with nuts, there are many different flavors you can have, the most popular one is the black

halwa(original) and the second popular is the saffron halwa. This is eaten on occasions and regular days, it is served with the Omani black

coffee.

Although spices, herbs, onion, garlic and lime are liberally used in traditional Omani Cuisine, unlike similar Asian food, it

is not hot or spicy. Omani Cuisine is also distinct from the Indigenous foods of other Arab states of the Arabian Peninsula and even varies

within the Sultanate's different regions. There are also significant differences in cuisine between different

regions of Oman.

Sport

Sport in Oman
Popular sports	Football, volleyball, handball, basketball, hockey
National sports teams	5
National sports clubs	48
National colors	Red, white, green

Wigan Athletic]].

The government aims to give young people a fully rounded education by providing activities and experience in the sporting, cultural,

intellectual, social and scientific spheres, and to excel internationally in these areas and for this reason, in October 2004, the government

created a Ministry of Sports Affairs to replace the General Organization for youth, sports and cultural affairs.

The 2009 Gulf Cup of Nations, the 19th edition, took place in Muscat, from 4 to 17 January 2009 and was won by the [[Oman

national football team|Omani national football team]].

The International Olympic Committee awarded the former GOYSCA its prestigious prize for Sporting excellence in recognition of its

contributions to youth and sports and its efforts to promote the Olympic spirit and goals.

The Oman Olympic Committee played a major part in organizing the highly successful 2003 Olympic Days, which were of great benefit to the

sports associations, clubs and young participants. The football association took part, along with the [[Team

handball|handball]], basketball, rugby union, hockey, volleyball, athletics, [[Swimming (sport)

|swimming]], and tennis associations. In 2010, Muscat hosted the 2010 Asian Beach Games.

They also host tennis tournaments in different age divisions each year. Inside the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex stadium contains a 50 meter

pool for swimming which is used for international tournaments from different schools in different countries. The Tour of Oman, a professional

cycling 6-day stage race, is held in February.

Oman also hosted the Asian 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers, where 11 teams

are competing for 3 spots at the FIFA World Cup.

Oman hosted the Men's and Women's Beach Handball 2012 World Championships at the Millennium Resort in Mussanah, from 8 to 13 July.

Oman is perhaps the only Gulf nation to have bullfighting events organised in its territories. Al-Batena area is prominent for such events.

Wide audiences turn up to see the events unfold. Omani bullfighting is however not a violent event. The origins of Bullfighting in Oman are

unknown though many locals here believe it was brought to Oman by the Moors of Spanish origin. Yet others say it has a direct connection with

Portugal which colonized the Omani coastline for nearly two centuries.

Gallery

• 
  Royal Opera House, Muscat.
• 
  Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant, Al Khuwair, Muscat.
• 
  Corridor next to Muscat Old Palace.
• 
  Al Alam Palace, Muscat.
• 
  Al Khuwair. The two khanjar daggers (left of image) mark the entrance to the Ministries Street which houses
• File:The Omani government ministries.
• Al Khuwair. The Zawawi Mosque can be seen here.
  Al Khuwair. The Zawawi Mosque can be seen here.
• 
  A traditional Omani dhow lays anchored in Muscat Harbor, the world's largest natural harbor.
• 
  The Sultan's yacht anchored at Muscat Port.
• 
  Mutrah Corniche.
• 
  Mutrah Corniche.
• 
  The Muscat Fort, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, overlooks Muscat Harbor, Mutrah and the Al Alam Palace.
• 
  Riyam Park, as seen in The Amazing Race 9, is very near Muscat Harbor.
• 
  The Mutrah Corniche, renovated after the damage inflicted by Cyclone Gonu.
• 
  Dust storms are rare in Muscat.
• Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
  Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
• 
  Muscat Clock Tower, MBD, Ruwi, the oldest monument in modern Oman.
• 
  Omani crowds watch their national football team hosting the Gulf of Nations Cup.
• 
  PDO headquarters and refinery in Muscat.
• 
  One of Muscat's beaches.
• 
  Qantab Beach.
• 
  Shatti Beach.
• 
  Qurum Beach. The Crowne Plaza Muscat can be seen in the distance, on the cliff-top.
• 
  Gates decorate routes throughout Muscat.
• 
  Muscat Boat Club.
• 
  Headquarters of Omantel (Oman's public telecommunications provider).
• 
  Torrential rains can last for days in Oman.
• 
  Ruwi High Street, a marketplace in Ruwi, Muscat's commercial hub.
• 
  Bullfighting in Oman.

See also

Column-generating template families

The templates listed here are not interchangeable. For example, using {{col-float}} with {{col-end}} instead of {{col-float-end}} would leave a <div>...</div> open, potentially harming any subsequent formatting.

Column templates

Type	Family	Handles wiki table code?†	Responsive/ mobile suited	Start template	Column divider	End template
Float	"col-float"	Yes	Yes	{{col-float}}	{{col-float-break}}	{{col-float-end}}
	"columns-start"	Yes	Yes	{{columns-start}}	{{column}}	{{columns-end}}
Columns	"div col"	Yes	Yes	{{div col}}	–	{{div col end}}
	"columns-list"	No	Yes	{{columns-list}} (wraps div col)	–	–
Flexbox	"flex columns"	No	Yes	{{flex columns}}	–	–
Table	"col"	Yes	No	{{col-begin}}, {{col-begin-fixed}} or {{col-begin-small}}	{{col-break}} or {{col-2}} .. {{col-5}}	{{col-end}}

^† Can template handle the basic wiki markup {| | || |- |} used to create tables? If not, special templates that produce these elements (such as {{(!}}, {{!}}, {{!!}}, {{!-}}, {{!)}})—or HTML tags (<table>...</table>, <tr>...</tr>, etc.)—need to be used instead.

External links

• Ministry of Tourism (official government website).
• Ministry of Information (official government website).
• "Oman". The World Factbook (2024 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency.
• Oman web resources provided by GovPubs at the University of Colorado Boulder Libraries
• Oman at Curlie
• Oman from the BBC News.
• Wikimedia Atlas of Oman
• Oman travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Key Development Forecasts for Oman from International Futures.