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The Sultanate of Oman (Standard Arabic: سلطنة عُمان , Salṭanat ʿUmān IPA: [sʌltˤʌnʌt ʕʊmæːn]) is a country in Southwest Asia, on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the United Arab Emirates in the northwest, Saudi Arabia in the west, and Yemen in the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea in the south and east, and the Gulf of Oman in the northeast. The country also has an enclave enclosed by the United Arab Emirates.

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[edit] History

Main article: History of Oman

In ancient history the region of Oman was known principally for its copper mining, an activity still pursued in the present. Over the centuries the area was ruled intermittently by its trans-gulf neighbors, the Persians. Arab tribes moved into Oman, probably from Yemen, and took control of the area by the seventh century c.e. (The name Oman possibly derives from the name of a Yemeni tribe of that era.) The people of the region converted to Islam within the prophet Muhammad's lifetime. By the middle of the eighth century c.e., they were practicing a unique brand of the faith, Ibadhism, which remains a majority sect only in Oman. Ibadhism has been characterized as "moderate conservatism," with tenets that are a mixture of both austerity and tolerance. The Portuguese occupied Muscat for a 140-year period (1508–1648), arriving a decade after Vasco da Gama discovered the seaway to India. In need of an outpost to protect their sea lanes, the Europeans built up and fortified the city, where remnants of their colonial architectural style still remain. The Ottomans drove out the Portuguese, but were pushed out themselves about a century later (1741) by the leader of a Yemeni tribe, who began the current line of ruling sultans. After one last, brief invasion a few years later by Persia, Oman was free for good of foreign-occupying powers.

Map of Oman

Isolated from their Arab neighbors by the desert, the Omanis became an economic power in the early 1800s, largely by using their position on the Indian Ocean and seafaring knowledge gained from the Portuguese to gain access to foreign lands. They took control of the coasts of present-day Iran and Pakistan, colonized Zanzibar and Kenyan seaports, brought back enslaved Africans, and sent boats trading as far as the Malay Peninsula. At this time, the country became known as Muscat and Oman*, denoting two centers of power, not just the capital and the interior but also the sultan and the imam, the Ibadhist spiritual leader. The British slowly brought about a collapse of Muscat and Oman's "empire" by the end of the nineteenth century without use of force. Through gradual encroachment on its overseas holdings economically and politically, they caused Oman to retreat to its homeland. In time Britain held such sway in Muscat and Oman itself that it became in effect, and later in fact, a British protectorate. Having control of the country's military, the British helped subdue rebel tribesmen in the 1950s, driving most into Yemen. But the sultan ran a repressive regime, with laws forbidding numerous activities, including the building and even repair of his subjects' own homes without permission. In 1970, almost certainly with British backing, he was overthrown by his son, the present ruler, Qaboos bin Said Al Said, and the country declared independence the following year as the Sultanate of Oman. Qaboos is generally regarded as a benevolent absolute ruler, who has improved the country economically and socially. Oman has maintained peaceful ties on the Arabian Peninsula ever since ending another tribal rebellion in the southwest in 1982 by forging a treaty with Yemen. Oman's oil revenue has been consistently invested in the national infrastructure, particularly roads, schools, hospitals, and utilities. More than ever, the country is poised to take advantage of its strategic trade location on the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf to further its economic growth and role in the world. Except for those who travel to remote Middle East locales for striking vistas of coastal beauty, the country has seldom been in the public eye other than for the use of its military bases by U.S. forces in recent years. American and British bombing raids were launched in 1991 from Oman against Iraq in the Gulf War. A decade later, U.S. forces stationed there were involved in raids against Afghanistan and Osama bin Laden.

[edit] Politics

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More information on politics and government of Oman can be found at Politics of Oman, the main article in the Politics and government of Oman series. Chief of state and government is the hereditary sultān, Qabūs ibn Saˤīd as-Saˤīd, who appoints a cabinet to assist him. In the early 1990s, the sultan instituted an elected advisory council, the Majlis ash-Shura, though few Omanis were eligible to vote. Universal suffrage for those over 21 was instituted on 4 October 2003. Over 190,000 people (74% of those registered) voted to elect the 83 seats. Two women were elected to seats. The sultan functions as an absolute ruler.

[edit] Subdivisions

Main article: Subdivisions of Oman

Oman is divided into four governorates (muhafazah) and five regions (mintaqat). These regions are subdivided into provinces (wilayat). The governorates and regions are:

[edit] Governorates

Masqat (Muscat)
Musandam
Dhofar
Al Buraymi (created October 2006)

[edit] Regions

[edit] Geography

Wadi Shab

The Sharqiyah Sands. A popular tourist attraction

Main article: Geography of Oman

A vast desert plain covers most of central Oman, with mountain ranges along the north (Jebel Akhdar) and southeast coast, where the country's main cities are also located: the capital city Muscat, Matrah 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 millennia Oman was covered by ocean. Fossilized shells exist in great numbers in areas of the desert up to 50 miles from the modern coastline. Oman is considered to be one of the fifteen states that make up the so-called "Cradle of Humanity".

[edit] Exclaves and enclaves

The peninsula of Musandam (Musandem), which has a strategic location on the Strait of Hormuz, is separated from the rest of Oman by the United Arab Emirates and is thus an exclave. Oman has one other exclave, inside UAE territory, known as Wadi-e-Madhah. It is located halfway between the Musandam Peninsula and the rest of Oman [1]. The exclave is on the Dubai-Hatta road in the Emirate of Sharjah. Belonging to Musandam governorate, it covers approximately 75 square kilometres (29sqmi). The boundary was settled in 1969. The north-east corner of Madha is closest to the Khorfakkan-Fujairah road, barely ten metres (30ft) away. Within the exclave is an UAE enclave called Nahwa, belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah. It is about eight kilometres (fivemi) on a dirt track west of the town of New Madha. It consists of about forty houses with its own clinic and telephone exchange [2].

[edit] Economy

Oman's economic hub is its capital Muscat.

Main article: Economy of Oman

The economy of Oman is dominated by its dependence on crude oil. A joint venture called IPC drilled a number of dry holes from 1956 onwards though the logistics of doing this were extremely difficult due to the lack of transport infrastructure. A lack of success, combined with worsening logistical problems and a glut of oil on the world market, led most of the partners to withdraw from the venture in 1960. Only Royal Dutch/Shell and Partex opted to remain in Oman to continue the search for oil. They struck oil at Fahud in 1962 at a site just a few hundreds of metres from the last dry hole. In June 1967, the Compagnie Française des Pétroles rejoined the partnership by taking over a 10% equity share from Partex, resulting in the following shareholding: Shell 85%, Compagnie Française des Pétroles 10% and Partex 5%. The company changed its name to Petroleum Development (Oman). Shortly followed by the first export of Omani oil on 27 July 1967. On 1 January 1974 the Government of Oman acquired a 25% shareholding in the Petroleum Development (Oman); half a year later they increased it to 60%, backdated to the beginning of the year. As a result foreign shareholding in PD(O) was now made up of Royal Dutch/Shell (34%), Compagnie Française des Pétroles (now Total) (4%) and Partex (2%). In a Royal Decree of 15 May 1980, the company was registered as a limited liability company (LLC) under the name Petroleum Development Oman. Today Oman produces around 700,000 barrels (110,000 m³) of oil per day and there have been significant discoveries of natural gas and development of a liquefied natural gas terminal. Oil represents about 90% of Oman's exports. The income generated was quickly deployed into building infrastructures of roads, schools, hospitals, water and electricity generating plants. All of this activity has made Oman a major success story for economic growth despite being the only oil-producing nation in the Middle East that is not a member of OPEC. Oman's economic performance improved significantly in 2000 due largely to the upturn in oil prices. The government is moving ahead with privatization of its utilities, the development of a body of commercial law to facilitate foreign investment, and increased budgetary outlays. Oman continues to liberalise its markets and joined the World Trade Organization in November 2000. GDP growth improved in 2001 despite the global economic slowdown. On 20 July 2006, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a US-Oman Free Trade Agreement. [3] Regarding labor rights, the Government of Oman made numerous commitments to revise its labor laws to satisfy Congressional concerns. With respect to the assertions that the Agreement threatened the ability of the United States Government to protect its essential national security, the Congressional Research Service prepared several papers explaining that such was not the case. A recent State Department report criticized Oman for not taking enough action to reduce human trafficking but also acknowledged that the country "is making significant efforts to do so." The treaty will immediately end all duties on trade in industrial and consumer goods and give American farmers duty-free access to Oman's market for 87% of their products. [4] Proponents of the deal claim that the pact will help liberalise the Omani market and open it to U.S. goods. [5] US President George W. Bush signed the bill into law on September 26 2006 [6].

[edit] Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Oman

Oman is the world's easternmost Arabian country. The majority of Omanis are Arabs, although there are sizable Baloch and Swahili minorities. As in most other of the smaller, oil-rich Persian Gulf Arab countries, a large number of foreign workers live here, mostly from India and Pakistan. The official language is Arabic, but the minorities speak their own languages. A non-Arabic Semitic language Bathari is spoken in Dhofar. Islam is the predominant religion, mostly Ibādiyya, with a Sunni population in Dhofar. Exact numbers are not certain. The largest religious minority are the Hindus, who account for 13% of the population.[1]

[edit] Tourism

Bustan Palace

Oman is known for its popular tourist attractions. Wadi's , Deserts, Beaches and Mountains are areas which make Oman unique to its neighboring GCC nations(Wadis in particular). Jebel Shams is Oman's tallest mountain and the country's highest point and is a popular destination for camping. Most of the major malls are located in Muscat, the capital. The largest mall in the country is the Muscat City Centre which was built by Majid Futtaim, a UAE national business man. Other popular tourist activities include sand skiing in the desert, mountain-climbing, camel races and camping. Oman will anually host a number of events. Muscat Festival is usually held at the begining of every year. During this event, traditional dances will be held, temporary theme parks would open and concerts would take place. Another popular event is the Khareef Festival which is similar to Muscat Festival however its held in August in Salalah which is located in the Dhofar governate. During the event, mountains would be packed as a result of the cool breeze weather during during that period of time, which is quite rare to see in Muscat.

[edit] Culture

Main article: Culture of Oman

See also: Islam in Omanand Music of Oman

The Sultan's Grand Mosque

Even though Oman is a modern country, western influences are quite restricted. The Ibādī form of Islam is fairly liberal in comparison with Sunni Islam and Shi'a Islam. In common with most Middle Eastern countries, alcohol is only available in some hotels and few restaurants. Although Arabic is Oman's official language, there are native speakers of different dialects, as well as Baloochi, or offshoots of Southern Arabian, a Semitic language only distantly related to Arabic. Swahili is also widely spoken in the country due to the historical relations between Oman and Zanzibar. 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 Oman is famous for its khanjar knives, which are curved daggers worn during holidays as part of ceremonial dress. Today traditional clothing is worn by most Omani men. They wear 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 to offset the infrequentness of baths. Today the tassel is merely a traditional part of the dishdasha. Women wear hijab and abaya. Some women cover their faces and hands, but most do not. The abaya is not traditional dress; it is current style. 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 pants. A very important part of Omani culture is hospitality. If invited into an Omani house, a visitor is likely to be greeted with a bowl of dates, another of halwa, kawa (coffee with cardamon), tea with cardamon and ginger, fruit, and small sweet pastries.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

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[edit] External links

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General information

al-Bab - Oman
ApexStuff.com - An informative site on Oman and Tourism
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Oman - Country Page
BBC News Country Profile - Oman
CIA World Factbook - Oman
Oman Essentials - A quick look at the Sultanate of Oman
Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports regarding Oman
Lonely Planet - Oman
Nizwa.NET
Open Directory Project - Oman directory category
US State Department - Oman includes Background Notes, Country Study and major reports
Yahoo! - Oman directory category
World Arab, Arts, Architecture and Design Design Competition, Events, Arts and Forum

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