سلطنة عُمان Sultanate of Oman
Flag National Emblem
Motto: none
Anthem: Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani
Capital (and largest city)		Muscat 23°36′N, 58°33′E
Official languages		Arabic
Demonym		Omani
Government		Absolute monarchy
-	Sultan	Qaboos bin Said Al Said
Independence
-	Expulsion of the Portuguese	1651
-	End of British protectorate	1970
Area
-	Total	309,500 km² (70th) 119,498 sq mi
-	Water (%)	negligible
Population
-	mid 2006 estimate	3,204,897[1] (139th)
-	2003 census	2,300,000
-	Density	8. Gallery TemplateNationalflags --> The National Emblem of Oman ( شعار سلطنة عمان) consists of a Khanjar Dagger in a sheath that is superimposed upon two crossed swords A motto (from the Italian word motto, meaning witticism sentence is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history traditions and struggles of its people recognized either by a nation's Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani (نشيد وطني عماني is the Sultanate of Oman 's national anthem In Oman, about 50% of the population lives in Muscat and the Batinah coastal plain northwest of the capital about 200000 live in the Dhofar (southern region and Muscat ( Arabic: مسقط) is the Capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Oman. An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a People or the inhabitants of a place For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. Absolute monarchy is a monarchical Form of government where the king and queen have absolute power over everything List of Sultans of Oman (1406-Present Nabhan Dynasty (1406-1624 Ya'ariba Dynasty (first reign 1624-1724 Banu Ghafir Dynasty (1724-1728 Ya'ariba Independence is the Self-government of a Nation, Country, or State by its residents and population or some portion thereof generally exercising Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. To help compare Orders of magnitude of different geographical regions we list here Surface areas between 100000 km² and 1000000 km² This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by total area. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. In Mathematics, a percentage is a way of expressing a number as a Fraction of 100 ( per cent meaning "per hundred" In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology List of countries by population in 2005|List of countries by population in 1907This is a list of countries ordered according to Population. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 3/km² (182th) 21. List of countries and dependencies by Population density in inhabitants/km² 5/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2007 estimate
-	Total	$52. The purchasing power parity ( PPP) theory uses the long-term equilibrium Exchange rate of two currencies to equalize their Purchasing power. 3 billion (81th)
-	Per capita	$19,879 (44th)
GDP (nominal)		2006 estimate
-	Total	$35. There are three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product (GDP (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head with Per meaning 'through' or 'by' This article includes three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product (GDP at Purchasing power parity (PPP Per capita 992 billion (70th)
-	Per capita	$13,846 (40st)
HDI (2007)		▲ 0. PLEASE NO RANDOM FIGURES THERE ARE NO FIGURES BASED ON NATIONAL STATISTICS IN THIS ARTICLE Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head with Per meaning 'through' or 'by' This article includes three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product Per capita at Nominal values, the The Human Development Index ( HDI) is an index combining normalized measures of Life expectancy, Literacy, Educational attainment, and GDP 814 (high) (58th)
Currency		Rial (OMR)
Time zone		(UTC+4)
-	Summer (DST)	(UTC+4)
Internet TLD		.om
Calling code		+968
1	Population estimate includes 693,000 non-nationals. This is a list of countries by Human Development Index as included in the United Nations Development Program 's Human Development Report 2007 A currency is a unit of exchange, facilitating the transfer of Goods and/or services It is one form of Money, where money is The rial ( Arabic: ريال ISO 4217 code OMR) is the Currency of Oman. ISO 4217 is the International standard describing three-letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established Daylight saving time ( DST A country This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E

Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman (Arabic: سلطنة عُمان, transliteration: salṭanat ʿAumān) is a country in southwest Asia, on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language Different approaches and methods for the Romanization of Arabic exist In Political geography and International politics, a country is a Political division of a geographical entity Southwest Asia or Southwestern Asia (largely overlapping with the Middle East) is the southwestern portion of Asia. The Arabian Peninsula (in Arabic: شبه الجزيرة العربية šibh al-jazīra al-ʻarabīya or جزيرة العرب jazīrat al-ʻarab) It borders the United Arab Emirates on the northwest, Saudi Arabia on the west, and Yemen on the southwest. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA ( المملكة العربية السعودية, al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya) or Suudi Yemen ( Arabic: اليَمَن al-Yaman officially the Republic of Yemen ( Arabic: الجمهورية اليمنية al-Jumhuuriyya The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the south and east, and the Gulf of Oman on the northeast. The Arabian Sea ( Arabic: بحر العرب transliterated: Baḥr al-'Arab Sanskrit: सिन्धु सागर transliterated: The Gulf of Oman or Gulf of Makran ( Arabic: الخليج عمان transliterated: khalīj ʿumān( Urdu / Persian: خليج مکران The country also contains Madha, an exclave enclosed by the United Arab Emirates, and Musandam, an exclave also separated by Emirati territory. The Omani territory of Madha (مدحاء or Wadi Madha is an exclave of Oman surrounded by the United Arab Emirates, and located halfway between The Musandam (مسندم Peninsula is an Exclave of Oman, separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates.

Contents 1 History 2 Politics 3 Governorates and regions 3.1 Governorates 3.2 Regions 4 Geography 4.1 Exclaves and enclaves 4.2 Cyclone Gonu 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Tourism 8 Culture 8.1 Food 8.2 Male national dress 8.3 Female national dress 9 Sports 10 Challenges 11 See also 12 References 13 External links 13.1 Government 13.2 Media 13.3 General information

History

Main article: History of Oman

From the 6th century B. Prehistory See also Archaeology of Oman, Magan, A'ad Antiquity See also Pre-Islamic Arabia, Sassanid C. to arrival of Islam in the 7th century A. D. , Oman was controlled and/or influenced by three Iranian dynasties of Achaemenid, Parthians, and Sassanids ^[2]. The Iranian people are a collection of Ethnic groups defined along linguistic lines as speaking Iranian languages. The Achaemenid Empire or Achaemenid Persian Empire ( haχɒmaneʃijɒn (558–330 BC was the first of the Persian Empires to rule over significant portions of Parthia ( Middle Persian: اشکانیان Ashkâniân) was an Iranian civilization situated in the northeastern part of modern Iran The Sassanid Empire or Sassanian Dynasty or Sassanian Dynasty (ساسانیان) is the name used for the third Iranian dynasty and the second Persian empire Achaemenid (6th-4th century B. The Achaemenid Empire or Achaemenid Persian Empire ( haχɒmaneʃijɒn (558–330 BC was the first of the Persian Empires to rule over significant portions of C. ) controlled and/or influenced over the Oman peninsula. This was most likely exerted from a coastal center such as Sohar ^[2]. Sohar (صحار is a city located in the Al Batinah Region of the Sultanate of Oman, 240 Kilometers north-west of the capital Muscat. By about 250 B. C. , Parthian dynasty brought the Persian Gulf under their control and extended their influence as far as Oman. Because they needed to control the Persian Gulf trade route, the Parthians established garrisons in Oman. In the third century A. D. , the Sasanids succeeded the Parthians and held area until the rise of Islam four centuries later ^[3]. The Sassanid Empire or Sassanian Dynasty or Sassanian Dynasty (ساسانیان) is the name used for the third Iranian dynasty and the second Persian empire

On the advent of Islam, the faith reached Oman within Prophet Muhammad's lifetime. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. IMPORTANT PLEASE READ ##### For all questions relating to the addition of (pbuh peace be upon him or other honorifics The conversion of Omanis is usually ascribed to Amr ibn al-As, who visited the region between 627-32. ˤAmr ibn al-ˤĀs (عمرو بن العاص (born c583 - d January 6, 664 CE was an Arab Military commander who is most noted for leading ^[4] By the middle of the eighth century AD, Omanis were practicing a unique sect of the faith, Ibadhism, which remains a majority sect only in Oman. The Ibadi movement or Ibadiyya (Arabic الاباضية al-Ibāḍiyyah is a form of Islam distinct from the Shi'a and Sunni denominations Ibadhism has been characterized as "moderate conservatism," with tenets that are a mixture of both austerity and peace.

The Portuguese occupied Muscat for a 140-year period (1508–1648), arriving a decade after Vasco da Gama discovered the seaway to India. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Muscat ( Arabic: مسقط) is the Capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Oman. Dom Vasco da Gama, 1st Count of Vidigueira ('vaʃku dɐ 'gɐmɐ ( Sines or Vidigueira, Alentejo, Portugal, ca India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country 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.

Revolting tribes drove out the Portuguese, but were pushed out themselves about a century later (1741) by the leader of a Yemeni tribe leading a massive army from varying other tribes, who began the current line of ruling sultans. A brief Persian invasion a few years later was the final time Oman would be ruled by a foreign power. Oman has been self governing ever since.

The British slowly brought about a collapse of Muscat and Oman's "empire" by the end of the nineteenth century without use of force. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located 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, 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. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the American and British bombing raids were launched in 1991 from Oman against Iraq in the Gulf War. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. A decade later, U. S. forces stationed there were involved in raids against Afghanistan and Osama bin Laden. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, Osama bin Laden, with some spelling variations is the name used in English to refer to (أسامة بن محمد بن عوض بن لادن born 10 March

Politics

Main article: Politics of Oman

Chief of state and government is the hereditary sultān, Qaboos Bin Said Al-Said who appoints a cabinet called the "Diwans" to assist him. Politics of Oman takes place in a framework of an Absolute monarchy whereby the Sultan of Oman is not only Head of state, but also the Head of government Diwan ( Persian دیوان also transliterated as Deewan or Divan, is a Persian word used also into Arabic (الدیوان and Turkish 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. Universal suffrage (also universal adult suffrage, general suffrage or common suffrage) consists of the extension of the right to vote to Events 610 - Heraclius arrives by ship from Africa at Constantinople, overthrows Byzantine Emperor Phocas Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Over 190,000 people (74% of those registered) voted to elect the 84^[5] seats. Two women were elected to seats. The country today has three women ministers. H. E. Dr. Rawiyah bint Saud al Busaidiyah - Minister of Higher Education, H. E. Dr. Sharifa bint Khalfan al Yahya'eyah - Minister of Social Development and H. E. Dr. Rajiha bint Abdulamir bin Ali - Minister of Tourism.

The sultan functions as an absolute ruler. An autocracy is a Form of government in which the Political power is held by a single self-appointed ruler

Governorates and regions

Main articles: Administrative divisions of Oman and Districts of Oman

Oman is divided into four governorates (muhafazah) and five regions (mintaqat). |||} Oman is divided into five Regions ( Mintaqah) and four Governorates ( Muhafazah) A Governorate is an Administrative division of a country It is headed by a Governor. The Arabic word muhafazah (محافظة muḥāfaẓä plural محافظات muhafazat) is usually translated to Governorate in English occasionally to The article is about the geographic sense of the term For other uses including Regions and Regional, see Region (disambiguation. Mintaqah ( منطقة; plural manatiq مناطق is a term for a Country subdivision used in Saudi Arabia and several other Arab countries The regions are subdivided into districts (wilayat). Districts are a type of Administrative division, in some countries managed by a Local government. A wilāyah (ولاية or vilâyet (in Persian and Ottoman Turkish) is an administrative division usually The governorates and regions are:

Governorates

• 4. Al Buraimi (established 2006)
• 7. Al Buraimi (البريمي is the newest governorate of Oman which was split from the Ad Dhahirah region Dhofar
• 8. The Dhofar ( Arabic ظفار Ẓufār) region lies in Southern Oman, on the eastern border of Yemen. Musandam
• 9. The Musandam (مسندم Peninsula is an Exclave of Oman, separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates. Muscat

Regions

• 1. Muscat ( Arabic: مسقط) is the Capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Oman. Ad Dakhiliyah
• 2. Ad Dakhiliyah (الداخلية is one of the regions ( Mintaqah) of Oman with Nizwa town as the regional center Az Zahirah (Ad Dhahirah)
• 3. Az̧ Z̧āhirah (الظاهرة is one of the regions ( Mintaqah) of Oman. Az̧ Z̧āhirah (الظاهرة is one of the regions ( Mintaqah) of Oman. Al Batinah
• 5. Al Bāţinah ( Arabic:) is one of the regions ( Mintaqah) of Oman. Al Wusta
• 6. Al Wusta (الوسطى is one of the regions ( Manatiq) of Oman. Al Sharqiyah

Geography

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

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 is a country situated in Southwest Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen Also known as the camals hideoutThe Jebel Akhdar, Jabal Akhdar or Al Jabal Al Akhdar ( Arabic: الجبل الأخضر meaning The Green Muscat ( Arabic: مسقط) is the Capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Oman. Muttrah, (مطرح population 650000 is a city located in the Muscat province of Oman. Sur (صور is a capital city of Ash Sharqiyah Region, northeastern Oman, on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. Salalah (صلالة in Arabic) is the Capital and seat of the Governor or Wali of the southern Omani province of Dhofar 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 80 km from the modern coastline.

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. The Musandam (مسندم Peninsula is an Exclave of Oman, separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates. Navigation Ships moving through the Strait follow a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS which separates inbound from outbound traffic to reduce the risk of collision 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. Dibba ( Arabic دبا) also sometimes spelled Diba, is a coastal town at the northeastern tip of the UAE / Oman peninsula on the The Musandam (مسندم Peninsula is an Exclave of Oman, separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates. The Musandam (مسندم Peninsula is an Exclave of Oman, separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates. Boats may be hired at Dibba for trips into the Musandam peninsula by sea. Dibba ( Arabic دبا) also sometimes spelled Diba, is a coastal town at the northeastern tip of the UAE / Oman peninsula on the The Musandam (مسندم Peninsula is an Exclave of Oman, separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates.

Oman has one other exclave, inside UAE territory, known as Madha. The Omani territory of Madha (مدحاء or Wadi Madha is an exclave of Oman surrounded by the United Arab Emirates, and located halfway between It is located halfway between the Musandam Peninsula and the rest of Oman. ^[6] Belonging to Musandam governorate, it covers approximately 75 km² (29 sq mi). The Musandam (مسندم Peninsula is an Exclave of Oman, separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. The boundary was settled in 1969. The north-east corner of Madha is closest to the Khorfakkan-Fujairah road, barely 10 m (32. Fujairah ( Arabic: الفجيرة,) is one of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, on the Gulf of Oman in 8 ft) away. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit Within the exclave is a UAE enclave called Nahwa, belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah. Nahwa is part of the Emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. It is about 8 km (5 mi) on a dirt track west of the town of New Madha. A mile is a unit of Length, usually used to measure Distance, in a number of different systems including Imperial units United States It consists of about forty houses with its own clinic and telephone exchange. ^[7]

Cyclone Gonu

Oman was hit by Cyclone Gonu on June 6 2007. Cyclone Gonu (JTWC designation 02A, also known as Super Cyclonic Storm Gonu) was the strongest Tropical cyclone on record in the Arabian Large areas in the capital area region in the Governorate of Muscat Amerat and Quriyat were severely affected. Gonu first hit the southern city of Sur late on June 5, 2007. ^[8] Oman is one of the few countries with no National Red Crescent or Red Cross Society. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the world's largest group of humanitarian Non-governmental organizations The Movement Despite that, the government managed to keep everyone alert and safe using the media and the areas that were affected have recovered.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Oman

Economy of Oman
Currency	Omani Riyal (R$, OMR)
Fiscal year	Calendar year
Central Bank	Central Bank of Oman
Stock Market	Muscat Stock Market

The Omani economy has been radically transformed over a series of development plans beginning with the First Five­-year Plan (1976-1980). Oman is a remarkably stable country in the Middle East Current GDP per capita has expanded continuously in the past half-a-century The rial ( Arabic: ريال ISO 4217 code OMR) is the Currency of Oman. The Central Bank of Oman was established in December 1974 and began operations on 1st April 1975 At Sultan Qaboos's instruction, a vision of Oman's economic future up to the year 2020 was set out at the end of the first phase of the country's develop­ment 1970-1995. Vision 2020, outlined the country's economic and social goals over the 25 years of the second phase of the development process (1996­-2020).

The direct rule of the sultan gives Oman a largely stable economic and social system free of party politics. Sultan Qaboos, encourages market-oriented policies and private sector development as the mechanism for prosperity and growth.

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. Petroleum Development of Oman (PDO is the foremost exploration and production company in the Sultanate This is the most significant find in five years. Work is continuing on the RO 503. 876 million ( US$1,300 million ) oil refinery project in Sohar, which was due to go into operation in 2006 with a 116,400 barrels a day refining capacity. In 2004, Oman Oil Refinery was supplied with about 78,200 barrels a day for refining, while PDO began using steam injection technology in several wells to increase their productivity.

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 and natural gas. Tourism is Travel for Recreational or Leisure purposes The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel Natural gas is a Gaseous Fossil fuel consisting primarily of Methane but including significant quantities of Ethane, Propane, Oman's Basic Statute of the State expresses in Article 11 that, "The National Economy is based on justice and the principles of a free economy. Freiwirtschaft ( German for free economy) is a Libertarian economic Idea founded by Silvio Gesell in 1916 "

The Vision Conference: 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 globalise the Omani economy
• To upgrade the skills of the Omani workforce and develop human resources

In 2006, employees' salaries were increased by an average of 15%, placing Oman in the category of high-medium income countries of the world.

In 2008, public sector employees' were also increased in salaries (some up to 48%). Some companies in private sector also managed to increase their staffs' salaries due to the high prices that increased in the market.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Oman

Demographics of Oman
Languages	Arabic, Swahili, Urdu, English
Religions	Islam
Ethnic groups	Arab, South Asian , African
Life expectancy	73. In Oman, about 50% of the population lives in Muscat and the Batinah coastal plain northwest of the capital about 200000 live in the Dhofar (southern region and 13 years

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. Muscat ( Arabic: مسقط) is the Capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Oman. The Musandam (مسندم Peninsula is an Exclave of Oman, separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates. Navigation Ships moving through the Strait follow a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS which separates inbound from outbound traffic to reduce the risk of collision Some 600,000 expatriates live in Oman, most of whom are guest workers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, India and the Philippines. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and ( Bengali: বাংলাদেশ inc-Latn Bangladesh) officially This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (الأردنّ al-Urdunn) is an Arab country in Southwest Asia spanning the southern India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP

Of total population, about 55% are Ibadi Muslims who are related to the early Kharajites. The Ibadi movement or Ibadiyya (Arabic الاباضية al-Ibāḍiyyah is a form of Islam distinct from the Shi'a and Sunni denominations Kharijites (Arabic Khawārij خوارج literally "Those who Went Out" is a general term embracing various Muslims who while initially supporting the Sunnis account for 38% of the population while Shia Jaffaris are 4%. The remaining 3% of the population are Hindus, Christians and other minorities, most of whom are expatriates. ^[1]

Since 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. Education encompasses both the Teaching and Learning of Knowledge, proper conduct, and technical competency In 1986, Oman's first university, Sultan Qaboos University, opened. Sultan Qaboos University, located in Muscat Oman, is the only public University in the Sultanate of Oman. Other post secondary institutions include a law school, technical college, banking institute, teachers training college, and health sciences institute. Some 200 scholarships are awarded each year for study abroad.

Nine private colleges exist, providing 2-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.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Oman

Oman is known for its popular tourist attractions. Oman is a country on the Arabian Peninsula. This article documents tourism in the country Wadis, deserts, beaches, and mountains are areas which make Oman unique to its neighboring GCC nations (Wadis in particular). Wadi (وادي) (also Vadi) is traditionally a valley In some cases it can refer to a dry riverbed that contains water only during times of heavy rain The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf ( CCASG; مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council Jebel Shams is Oman's tallest mountain, highest point, and is a popular destination for camping. Most of the major malls are located in Muscat, the capital. Muscat ( Arabic: مسقط) is the Capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Oman. The largest mall in the country is the Muscat City Centre which was built by Majid hFuttaim, an Emirati business man. Other popular tourist activities include sand skiing in the desert, mountain-climbing, camel racing, and camping.

The Muscat Festival is usually held at the beginning of every year. During this event, traditional dances are held, temporary theme parks open, and concerts take place. Another popular event is the Khareef Festival, which is similar to Muscat Festival; however it is held in August in Salalah, Dhofar. The Dhofar ( Arabic ظفار Ẓufār) region lies in Southern Oman, on the eastern border of Yemen. During this latter event, mountains are packed as a result of the cool breeze weather during that period of time which rarely occurs in Muscat.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Oman

See also: Islam in Oman, Music of Oman, and Cinema of Oman

Although Arabic is Oman's official language, there are native speakers of different dialects, as well as Balochi (the language of the Baloch from Pakistan), or offshoots of Southern Arabian, a Semitic language only distantly related to Arabic, but closely related to Semitic languages in Eritrea and Ethiopia. The Omani culture is steeped in the religion of Islam. Oman has developed its own type of Islam known as Ibadhism, however other strands of Islam such as Sunni The majority of Omanis are Ibadhi Muslims, followers of Abd Allah ibn Ibad Oman is an Arab country located on the Arabian Peninsula. The country's coastal location has had an important effect on its musical heritage with Omani sailors interacting West Asian cinema refers collectively to the Film output and film industries of the West Asia. In Linguistics and Ethnology, Semitic (from the Biblical " Shem " Hebrew שם translated as "name" Arabic: ساميّ Eritrea () ( Ge'ez: ኤርትራ ʾErtrā, Arabic: إرتريا Iritriya) officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in NOTE This intro is the result of careful NPOV work Please do not make potentially controversial edits to it without first discussing on the talk page Swahili and French are also widely spoken in the country due to the historical relations between Oman and Zanzibar the two languages have been linked historically. Zanzibar ( is part of the East African republic of Tanzania. It consists of the Zanzibar Archipelago in the The dominant indigenous language is a dialect of Arabic and the country has also adopted English as a second language. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Almost all signs and writings appear in both Arabic and English. A significant number also speak Hindi, due to the influx of Indian migrants during the late 1980s and the 1990s.

Oman is famous for its khanjar knives, which are curved daggers worn during holidays as part of ceremonial dress. The khanjar (Arabic خنجر is the traditional Dagger of Oman. 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. Today the tassel is merely a traditional part of the dishdasha.

Women wear hijabs and abayas. Islam and clothing Hijab or ħijāb ( ar حجاب, pronounced) is the Arabic term for "cover" (noun based on the root حجب meaning "to The abaya ( Arabic عباءة plural abayat عباءات is an Overgarment worn by some women in parts of the Islamic world. Some women cover their faces and hands, but most do not. The abaya is a traditional dress and it is currently having different styles. The Sultan has forbidden the covering of faces in public office. 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, qahwa (coffee with cardamom - standard Arabic قهوة) and fruit. The name cardamom (or cardamon is used for herbs within two genera of the Ginger family Zingiberaceae, namely Elettaria and Amomum The coffee is served fairly weak in a small cup, which should be shaken after three servings to show that you have finished. The dates are in lieu of sugar. Halwa and other sweets are often given at celebrations such as Eids.

Food

Main article: Cuisine of Oman

The Cuisine of Oman is fairly simple and often utilizes marinades and the impregnating of meats with spices. See also Arab cuisine Chicken, fish, and mutton are regularly used in dishes. A favorite drink is laban, a salty, buttermilk yogurt drink, flavored with cardamom. The name cardamom (or cardamon is used for herbs within two genera of the Ginger family Zingiberaceae, namely Elettaria and Amomum Dates, dry fruits and pistachio nuts are also very popular.

Male national dress

Main article: dishdash

The national dress for Omani men is a simple, ankle-length, collarless gown with long sleeves called the dishdasha. A thawb or thobe (ثوب) dishdasha (ar دشداشة) kandura (ar كندورة) khameez (ar قميص A thawb or thobe (ثوب) dishdasha (ar دشداشة) kandura (ar كندورة) khameez (ar قميص The colour most frequently worn is white, although a variety of other colours such as black, blue, brown and lilac can also be seen. Its main adornment is a tassel (furakha) sewn into the neckline, which can be impregnated with perfume. For other uses see Hilt and Maize. A tassel is a binding of Plaited or otherwise gathered threads from which at one Underneath the dishdasha, a plain piece of cloth covering the body is worn from the waist down. Omani men may wear a variety of head dresses. The mussar is a square of finely woven woollen or cotton fabric, wrapped and folded into a turban. The turban (from Persian fa دلبند or دولبند dulband via the Turkish tr tülbent) is a headdress consisting of a long Underneath this, the kummah, an intricately embroidered cap, is sometimes worn. The shal, a long strip of cloth acting as a holder for the khanjar (a silver, hand-crafted knife or dagger) may be made from the same material as the mussar. The khanjar (Arabic خنجر is the traditional Dagger of Oman. Alternatively, the holder may be fashioned in the former of a belt made from leather and silver, which is called a sapta. On formal occasions, the dishdasha may be covered by a black or beige cloak, called a bisht. The embroidery edging the cloak is often in silver or gold thread and it is intricate in detail. Some men carry the assa, a stick, which can have practical uses or is simply used as an accessory during formal events. Omani men, on the whole, wear sandals on their feet.

Female national dress

Omani women have very colourful costumes which vary from region to region. The main components of a woman's outfit comprise a dress which is worn over trousers (haaf) and the headdress, called the lihaf or hijab.

There are numerous traditional styles of Omani costume seen in Muscat. However, there are three main types which show vibrant colours, embroidery and decorations. One style of costume is rather flowing and resembles that worn by the women of the Interior, while another is decorated with distinctive silver bands. The embroidery on these dresses can take around two months to complete.

In the Dhofar region, the dress (or thob) is known as the Abu Dhail, which means 'one with a tail'. This dress is shorter at the front than at the rear and is made from luxurious velvet or cotton, shot with gold and silver embroidery, beads and sequins. It has a square neckline and is generally worn with a lightweight, cotton or silk sh'ela (head dress) which may also be sewn with pearls, sequins and sometimes small gold coins for special celebrations. Elaborate jewellery is often worn with this dress, around the head, neck, wrists, ankles, fingers and toes. The Dhofari women rarely wear a birka (mask), but the older ladies, originating from the Nejd (the desert area) and the mountains may do so. For a group of islands in the Gulf of Finland, see Berezovye Islands. Nejd or Najd (literally "highland" نجد) is the central region of the Arabian Peninsula. The birka is often dyed gold or indigo. Some women pierce their noses on both sides and can be seen wearing a carnelian stone, which is a dull red, and a gold flower stud. Carnelian, sometimes spelled cornelian, is a red or reddish-brown variant of Chalcedony. Indigo is often used as a skin preparation which is rubbed into the face and then washed off using the leaves of the becium dhofarense imparting a bluish tinge which is enhanced by the dresses and robes. However, more and more western dress is being seen, just as in all other Middle-eastern states.

Sports

Sports of Oman
Popular Sport	Football, hockey
National Team Sports	5
National Clubs	48
Colors	Red , White

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 Organisation for Youth, Sports and Cultural Affairs.

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 Handball, Basketball, Hockey, Volleyball, Athletics, Swimming, and Tennis Associations. In 2010 Muscat will host the 2010 Asian Beach Games for the first time.

Challenges

Oman's political challenges are primarily around succession plans. The present ruler, Sultan Qaboos is childless and has not designated an heir. The democratic institutions and processes are still in early development and have not experienced real power. There is some risk of destabilization by radicals backed by militant groups or rogue states.

Oman's Musandam peninsula is a strategic asset which may become contested in future. Strong military ties with the United States and the GCC countries helps maintain stability. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The growing power of Iran is a concern. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics.

The demographic challenges are, like in outher GCC countries, that a large proportion of the population are non-citizens. Many Omanis lack the educational depth and marketable skills to be competitive in a global economy.

The economic challenge is over-dependence on oil. An oil is a substance that is in a viscous Liquid state ( "oily") at ambient temperatures or slightly warmer and is While this is a benefit during oil price spikes, it is a risk during downturns. Oman's economy has not diversified to the extent neighboring UAE has.

See also

Cities in Oman Provinces of Oman Communications in Oman Education in Oman Foreign relations of Oman Human rights in Oman

Transport in Oman Tourism in Oman Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces Scouting and Guiding in Oman Theweek Cyclone Gonu

References

External links

Government

• State Council
• Majlis As-shura
• Ministry of Interior
• Ministry of Justice
• Ministry of Information
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Ministry of Tourism

Media

• Oman News Agency
• Oman state TV and Radio
• Oman newspaper
• Al-Watan newspaper
• Al-Shabiba newspaper
• Azzamn newspaper
• Times of Oman
• Oman Tribune
• Oman Observer
• The Week

General information

• Encyclopaedia Britannica, Oman - Country Page
• BBC News Country Profile - Oman
• CIA World Factbook - Oman
• Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports regarding Oman
• Open Directory Project - Oman directory category
• US State Department - Oman includes Background Notes, Country Study and major reports
• Yahoo! - Oman directory category
• Oman Travel & Tourism Portal
• Oman Guide

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