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Oman

Oman Country Profile

Capital: Muscat

Currency: Omani Rial (OMR)

Travel Advice: Oman Travel Advice

Visas: Oman Visa Information

Vaccinations: Oman Vaccination Information

Oman is located at western Asia southeast of the Arabian Peninsula. The country recorded a population of 4.829 million people by 2018 and covers an area of 309,501 km².

The capital city is Muscat, which is also a port city and is the most populated city in the country. It is home to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque with a dome of 50m and a Persian carpet.

The other most popular city is Salalah city, which is the capital city of Dhofar province and is populous for its banana plantations.

The capital city of Muscat.

History

The country is dominated by the Arabs and Islam was introduced in 700s AD.

The Persians invaded the country but were attacked in 1749 by the Al Bu Said Empire.

The rule of the country was divided in 1913; the Ibadite imams controlled the mainland while sultan the coastal land.

Oman gained independence from the British in 1951 under the treaty of friendship and commerce. Sultan Said bin Taimur regained the leadership of the mainland in 1959.

Food/ culture

The country’s culture is greatly influenced by the Islam culture.

The popular crops include dates, bananas, tomatoes, eggplant, carrots and limes.

The common dishes include majboos which is rice with saffron served with spicy meat, shuwa, mashuai, mushltat and mishkak.

Wildlife

The common wildlife animals include leopard, gazelles, tahr, ibex, wild cats, desert foxes and Arabian oryx which is the country’s national animal.

Annual events/ celebrations/ festivals

Muscat festival is held to display the Omani culture and heritage through art.

Salalah tourism festival is conducted from 15^th July to 31^st August.

Eid al-Adha is celebrated with respect to Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his only son as a command from God.

Things to see

The country has beautiful sea beaches and fresh air at Muscat. The city also has phenomenal souks and plenty of seafood.

Al Jalali Fort and Al-Mirani Fort are at the harbour of Old Muscat built by the Portuguese during the 16^th century for protection after Muscat had been invaded twice by the Ottoman forces.

The Al Hajar Mountains separate the coast from a high plateau desert where one can trek during the day.

The Frankincense Land Museum in the Al Balid Archaeological site maintains the Salalah city maritime history.

Interesting facts

Oman is the Arab’s world oldest independent state.

The official religion is Islam.

The official language is Arabic.

Borders

Oman is bordered to the northeast by the United Arab Emirates, to the west by Saudi Arabia and the southeast by Yemen. It also shares maritime borders with Iran and Pakistan.