Oman is a country in Southwest Asia with a population of 3.1 million. Its official language is Arabic, and its main industry is crude oil production. The government is an absolute monarchy, but strides have been made towards inclusivity. Oman has a diverse geography, with mountains, deserts, and beaches, and offers activities such as diving, fishing, and camel rides.
Oman is a country located on the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia. It is 82,031 square miles (212,460 square kilometers) in size, about the size of the state of Kansas. It has approximately 1000 miles (1600km) of coastline and is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the southeast, Yemen to the southwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, and the Gulf of Oman to the north .
Oman’s population estimate in 2006 was 3.1 million and it is mainly populated by Arab, Baluchi, South Asian and African ethnic groups. Not surprisingly, the official national language is Arabic, although many also speak English.
The capital of Oman is Muscat, located on the Gulf of Oman to the north. The Omani Rial is the official currency unit of Oman, and the country’s per capita GDP in 2005 was approximately 13,400 US Dollars (USD). Its main industry is crude oil production and petroleum refining, followed by natural gas production.
The government of Oman is an absolute monarchy as of 2007, but strides have been made since the late 20th century to include an elected body of government officials and to make the government more inclusive for all citizens. In 1971, Oman became a member of the United Nations and the Arab League. Women gained the right to serve in government in 1997, and in 2003, the right to vote was granted to anyone over 21. Prior to this, the vote was only granted to a select few.
Oman was settled in the 9th century BC by Arabs, with a mass Islamic conversion in the 7th century AD. The country went through a period of Portuguese occupation in the 9th and 7th centuries before being conquered by the Ottoman Empire. Later, in the 18th century, Ahmad ibn Sa’id took control and his descendants are still in power today.
The average daytime temperature in Muscat in the summer is around 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 C) and in the winter, 77 F (25 C). Most tourists will find that visiting Oman between October and April is the most pleasant in terms of weather. Oman’s diverse geography is a draw for tourists, with mountains, deserts and beaches offering something for everyone.
The nearly 1000 miles (1600km) of coastline boasts spectacular diving, sport fishing, turtle watching and boating/sailing. For rock climbers, there are plenty of canyons and mountain peaks reaching 9800 feet (3000 meters) to explore. The desert offers adventure treks and camel rides. Bullfighting is another popular pastime in Oman, although it doesn’t resemble that practiced in Spain.
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