Oman
Country Guide

Explore Oman

Oman with its capital Muscat is located in Asia (Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea). It covers some 309,501 square kilometers (twice the size of Georgia) with 3,424,390 citizens. Arabic, English and Urdu are the common languages used in Oman (consider regional differences). Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen are bordering countries.

Oman is in the Middle East, on the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. Until Sultan Qaboos bin Said exiled the previous Sultan in 1970, Oman was an under-developed nation, and almost completely closed to visitors. Since that time, education, public works and tourism have taken off throughout the country.

Popular Destinations in Oman

Administrative regions of Oman

• Al Batinah North Governorate
• Al Batinah South Governorate
• Ash Sharqiyah South Governorate
• Az Zahirah
• Muhafazat Masqat
• Muhafazat Shamal ash Sharqiyah
• Muhafazat Zufar
• Muhafazat ad Dakhiliyah
• Muhafazat al Buraymi
• Muhafazat al Wusta
• Musandam

About the country

The topography is central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south. The average density of population is about 11 per km². The climate in Oman can be described as dry deserthot, humid along coast, hot, dry interior, strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south. Potential natural disasters are periodic droughts summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior

To reach someone Oman dial +968 prior to a number. The local cellular networks are operated on 900 MHz, 3G, 4G. Websites typically end with the top level domain ".om". If you want to bring electric appliances (e.g. battery chaarger), keep in min the local 240 V - 50 Hz (plugs: G). The sign for the locally used currency Rial is OMR.

Three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band; white represents peace and prosperity, red recalls battles against foreign invaders, and green symbolizes the Jebel al Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility.

The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered from Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, the nascent 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, although the Sultanate never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and has since ruled as sultan, but he has not designated a successor. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world, while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK and US. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with its neighbors and to avoid external entanglements. Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, some Omanis staged demonstrations, calling for more jobs and economic benefits and an end to corruption. In response to those protester demands, QABOOS in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting legislative and regulatory powers to the Majlis al-Shura and increasing unemployment benefits. Additionally, in August 2012, the Sultan announced a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector Omani jobs. As part of the government's efforts to decentralize authority and allow greater citizen participation in local governance, Oman successfully conducted its first municipal council elections in December 2012. Announced by the Sultan in 2011, the municipal councils have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates. The Sultan returned to Oman in March 2015 after eight months in Germany, where he received medical treatment. He has since appeared publicly on a few occasions.

Geography

Area
Total (World Rank: 72)	309,500	sq km
Land (World Rank: 67)	309,500	sq km
Forest (World Rank: 162)	4.50	%
Comparative	twice the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Kansas
Coastline
2092
Landborder
1561
Elevation
Highest point (World Rank: 67)	3,004	m
Agricultural land
Total (World Rank: 210)	4.70	%
Arable (World Rank: 213)	0.10	%
Permanent crops (World Rank: 186)	0.10	%
Permanent pastures (World Rank: 162)	4.50	%
Irrigated land (World Rank: 112)	590	sq km
Map reference
Middle East
Environment
Issues	- beach pollution from oil spills - limited natural freshwater resources - rising soil salinity
Agreement party	- Biodiversity - Climate Change - Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol - Desertification - Hazardous Wastes - Law of the Sea - Marine Dumping - Ozone Layer Protection - Ship Pollution - Whaling
Hazzards	- periodic droughts - summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior
Location
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and the UAE
Climate
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain
central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south

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People

Population
Total (World Rank: 132)	3,424,390
Deathrate (World Rank: 218)	0.33	%
Birthrate (World Rank: 56)	2.40	%
Growthrate (World Rank: 44)	2.03	%
Migration rate (World Rank: 87)	-0.04	%
Fertility rate (World Rank: 59)	2.82	%
Median age
Male (World Rank: 144)	26.60
Female (World Rank: 163)	24.20
Age structure
0 14 male (World Rank: 120)	528,554
0 14 female (World Rank: 119)	502,272
15 24 male (World Rank: 123)	335,764
15 24 female (World Rank: 126)	304,207
25 54 male (World Rank: 129)	864,858
25 54 female (World Rank: 137)	635,006
55 64 male (World Rank: 147)	71,477
55 64 female (World Rank: 148)	62,793
65 x male (World Rank: 142)	58,561
65 x female (World Rank: 147)	60,894
Health
Infant mortality rate (World Rank: 109)	1.28	%
Life expectancy total (World Rank: 99)	76	years
Life expectancy female (World Rank: 115)	78	years
Life expectancy male (World Rank: 86)	74	years
Physicians per 1000 (World Rank: 93)	1.54
Hospital bed per 1000 (World Rank: 118)	1.70
Sanitation access total (World Rank: 59)	96.70	%
Obesity adult (World Rank: 39)	27.00	%
Drinking water access (World Rank: 121)	93.40	%

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Energy

Electricity
Production (World Rank: 63)	30,790,000,000	kWh
Consumption (World Rank: 62)	27,620,000,000	kWh
Source fossil (World Rank: 19)	100.00	%
Crude oil
Production (World Rank: 19)	1,007,000	bbl / day
Exports (World Rank: 17)	745,800	bbl / day
Imports (World Rank: 78)	6,970	bbl / day
Proved reserves (World Rank: 22)	5,373,000,000	bbl
Refined products
Production (World Rank: 48)	224,000	bbl / day
Consumption (World Rank: 60)	176,000	bbl / day
Export (World Rank: 57)	33,240	bbl / day
Import (World Rank: 201)	714	bbl / day
Natural gas
Production (World Rank: 25)	29,930,000,000	m³
Consumption (World Rank: 34)	38,030,000,000	m³
Export (World Rank: 37)	1,990,000,000	m³
Import (World Rank: 8)	0	m³
Carbon footprint
69000000

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Nation

Budget
Education (World Rank: 71)	5	% of GDP
Military (World Rank: 1)	14	% of GDP
Health (World Rank: 172)	4	% of GDP
Surplus (World Rank: 209)	-22	% of GDP
National symbol
khanjar dagger superimposed on two crossed swords
National colours
white
Adjective
Omani
Noun
Omani(s)
Background
The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered from Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, the nascent 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, although the Sultanate never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and has since ruled as sultan, but he has not designated a successor. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world, while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK and US. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with its neighbors and to avoid external entanglements. Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, some Omanis staged demonstrations, calling for more jobs and economic benefits and an end to corruption. In response to those protester demands, QABOOS in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting legislative and regulatory powers to the Majlis al-Shura and increasing unemployment benefits. Additionally, in August 2012, the Sultan announced a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector Omani jobs. As part of the government's efforts to decentralize authority and allow greater citizen participation in local governance, Oman successfully conducted its first municipal council elections in December 2012. Announced by the Sultan in 2011, the municipal councils have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates. The Sultan returned to Oman in March 2015 after eight months in Germany, where he received medical treatment. He has since appeared publicly on a few occasions.
Flag description
three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band; white represents peace and prosperity, red recalls battles against foreign invaders, and green symbolizes the Jebel al Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility

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Economy

Gdp
Purchasing power parity (World Rank: 66)	184,700,000,000	USD
Real growth rate (World Rank: 99)	3.00	%
Per capita purchasing power parity (World Rank: 34)	46,100	USD
Source agriculture (World Rank: 179)	1.80	%
Source industry (World Rank: 11)	47.60	%
Source service (World Rank: 157)	53.90	%
Labourforce
Total (World Rank: 143)	968,800
Products
Industries	- cement - chemicals - construction - copper - crude oil production - liquefied natural gas production - natural - optic fiber - refining - steel
Agriculture	- alfalfa - bananas - camels - cattle - dates - fish - limes - vegetables
Exports	- fish - metals - petroleum - reexports - textiles
Imports	- food - livestock - lubricants - machinery - manufactured goods - transport equipment

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Communication

Phone
Landline total (World Rank: 98)	422,518
Landline per 100 (World Rank: 122)	13.00
Mobile per 100 (World Rank: 6)	205.00
Assessment	0
Internet
Users (World Rank: 106)	2,342,480
Population (World Rank: 75)	69.80	%

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Transport

Air
Airports paved (World Rank: 102)	13.00
Airports unpaved (World Rank: 32)	119.00
Heliports (World Rank: 41)	3.00
Road
Total length (World Rank: 70)	60,230
Paved length (World Rank: 54)	29,685
Unpaved length (World Rank: 52)	30,545

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