Oman

Guide Note

The Sultanate of Oman is located on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula in southwest Asia. Oman shares borders with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen and is bordered by the Arabian Sea on the south and east, and the Gulf of Oman on the northeast. Oman also contains two enclaves, Madha and Musandam, which are separated from the main part of the country by United Arab Emirates territory. Oman is considered the oldest independent state in the Arab world. Until the 1970s it was one of the most isolated countries in the Persian Gulf region.

Fast Facts

1. Capital: Muscat
2. Government: Absolute monarchy
3. Population: 3,204,897 est. (2006)
4. Currency: Omani Rial
5. Exchange Rate: 0.387 USD
6. Official Language: Arabic
7. Originally Named: Oman and Muscat

Following a Portugese occupation from 1508 to 1648, local tribes were defeated by a large army led by a Yemeni tribe in the mid-18th century. The established sultanate built an empire which, at its peak in the 19th century, stretched down the east African coast.

In the late 18th century the sultanate signed its first friendship treaty with Britain. The relationship would eventually lead to the end the empire as Oman became increasingly dependent upon Britain as a "protectorate". Despite thier close ties however, Oman maintained its independence and was never a British colony.

Under the rule of Sultan Said bin Taimur, who came to power in 1938, Oman suffered from decades of international isolation and a society run along feudal lines and internal rebellion. In July 1970, Qaboos bin Said Al Said, Taimur's only son, deposed his father and acceded the throne after consolidating power with the help of the British government. Qaboos bin Said Al Said has ruled Oman since.

Oman under the rule of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said has opened up to the outside world, reformed its economy and boosted spending on health, education and welfare. A large portion of it's GDP comes from Oil exports, although agriculture, fishing and Tourism are of increasing importance.