Oman

Oman Background

In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.

Oman Information

• Population: 2,903,165 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: Omani(s) adjective: Omani
• Location:: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
• Religions:: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu
• Ethnic Groups:: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
• Land Boundaries:: total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
• Area: total: 212,460 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 212,460 sq km
• Coast Line: 2,092 km
• 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
• Maritime Claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
• Land Use: arable land: 0.12% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 99.74% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resources
• Natural Resources: petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
• Highways: total: 34,965 km paved: 9,673 km (including 550 km of expressways) unpaved: 25,292 km (2001)
• Railways:
• Ports & Harbours: Matrah, Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Raysut
• Airports: 135 (2003 est.)