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Country Hopping: Oman
Official name: Sultanate of Oman
Area: 309,500 sq km
Population: 2,382,000
Capital: Muscat
Currency: Omani Rial
Official language: Arabic
Major cities: Salalah, Ibri, Sohar, Al-Buraimi, Nizwa.
Independence day: 1650 AD
Major exports: Petroleum, metals and metal goods, textiles, animals and animal products.
Oman is situated at the southeastern end of the Arabian peninsula, with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen towards its west the Arabian Sea towards the southeast, and the Gulf of Oman in the northeast.
Physical features
Oman is divided into a narrow coastal plain, mountain ranges and hills, and an interior plateau. The coastal plain along the Gulf of Oman is known as Al Batinah. Inland from the plain lies the Jabal al Akhadar range. Mount Sham is the highest peak at an elevation of 9,927 feet. A desert called the Ar Rubal Khali, or Empty Quarter, covers western Oman.
Climate
Hot and arid climate prevails here. However, there is high humidity along the coast. The average annual temperature is about 28°C. The average annual rainfall is generally less than 100mm.
Ethnicity
Arabs constitute the majority of Oman’s population, but significant minorities of Pakistanis, Indians, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, and East Africans live in the areas surrounding the principal ports. Pakistanis constitute 22 per cent of the population.
Religion
The majority of the population, about 75 per cent, are Ibadhi Muslims, which represent almost the whole population of the world’s Ibadhi Muslims. Sunni and Shiite Muslims form the other major religious group. There are also a significant number of Hindus in Oman.
Language
Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken in official and business circles. Baluchi, Urdu, Hindi and several Indian dialects are also spoken here.
Government
Oman has no written constitution, or political parties. The sultan holds absolute power, ruling by decree. There is no legislature, but the sultan takes advice from an appointed cabinet. There is also a consultative council, the Majlis Al-Shoura, that comprises 59 nominated members.
Flora and fauna
Dates are among the country’s chief export crops, along with limes and pomegranates. Omani farmers also cultivate alfalfa (Lucerne), bananas, coconuts, onions, tomatoes, wheat, and tobacco.
Wildlife
The animals found here are leopard, red fox, wildcat, dromedary, Mediterranean chameleon and desert jerboa. The birds found here are osprey, hoopoe and peregrine falcon.
The government also protects rare animal species, such as the Arabian oryx, Arabian leopard, mountain goat, and loggerhead turtle.
Recreation
Dhow racing and camel racing are popular traditional sports. The wealthy elite practice falconry. More modern sports include sand surfing and water-skiing; football (soccer) and rugby are also highly popular.
Traditional dress
Men in Oman wear white robes and turbans to protect themselves from the blazing sun, and their coloured sashes often hold ornamental knives called khanjars. Many men carry rifles in the rural areas of Oman.
Diet
The typical Omani meal consists of rice, spiced lamb or fish, dates and coffee or tea. Incense, notably frankincense, which is native to Oman is burned at the end of the meal.
Fishing
Fishes are plentiful in the Gulf of Oman. Consequently, many people in Oman make their living by fishing. Although most Omanis use fibreglass motorboats for fishing, some use the old-style wooden sail boats called dhows. Dhows are ancient sea vessels still used for fishing. However, now diesel fuel rather than the traditional sail is used to keep dhows afloat.
History
9th century BC: Migration of Arab clans to Oman, notably the Qahtan and Nizar families from northwest Arabia. These two tribes happen to be each others archrivals.
4th century BC-AD 800: North Oman came under Persian control.
AD 630: Converted to Islam.
751: Julanda Ibn Masud was elected Imam (spiritual leader); Oman remained under Imam rule until 1154.
1151: Dynasty established by Banu Nabhan.
1428: Dynastic rule came under challenge from the Imams.
1507: Coastal area, including port city of Muscat, fell under Portuguese control.
1650: Portuguese ousted by Sultan Ibn Sayf, a powerful Ya’ariba leader.
Early 18th century: Civil war between the Hinawis (descendants of the Qahtan) and the Ghafiris (descendants of the Nizar).
1749: Independent Sultanate of Muscat and Oman established by Ahmad Ibn Said, founder of the Al Bu Said dynasty that still rules Oman.
First half of 19th century: Muscat and Oman were the most powerful states in Arabia, and ruled Zanzibar until 1861. Besides this, the coastal parts of Persia, Kenya, and some areas of present day Pakistan came under British protection.
1951: The Sultanate of Muscat and Oman achieved full independence from Britain. Treaty of Friendship with Britain signed.
1964: Discovery of oil led to the transformation of Oman from an underdeveloped kingdom to a modern state.
1970: After 38 years’ rule, Sultan Said bin Taimur was replaced in a bloodless coup by his son Qaboos bin Said. Name changed to Sultanate of Oman and modernization programme launched.
1975: Left-wing rebels in Dhofar in the south, who had been supported by South Yemen, were defeated with the assistance of the British military, ending a ten-year insurrection.
1981: Consultative Council set up; Oman played key role in establishment of a six-member Gulf Cooperation Council.
1982: Memorandum of Understanding with UK signed, providing for regular consultation on international issues.
1991: Joined US-led coalition opposing Iraq’s occupation of Kuwait.
1994: Proposal to allow women members of parliament.
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