Oman
The
Sultanate of Oman is a country in the
southwestern part of
Asia, on the southeast coast of the
Arabian Peninsula. It borders the
United Arab Emirates in the northwest,
Saudi Arabia in the west, and
Yemen in the southwest. The coast is formed by the
Arabian Sea in the south and east, and the
Gulf of Oman in the northeast.
History
\nMain article: History of Oman
Oman has been a centre for traders for centuries. In 1508, the main port, Muscat, was captured by the Portuguese, who held it until it was taken by the Ottomanss in 1659. These were driven out in 1741, when the present line of sultans was formed by Ahmed ibn Said.
In the early 19th century, Oman grew to a major power, having possessions in Persia, Baluchistan and Zanzibar, but these were gradually all lost. In 1891, Oman became a British protectorate, which lasted until 1971. The year prior, sultan Said ibn Taimur had been ousted by his son, sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, (ruled 1970 - ). Qaboos has since greatly improved the economic situation of the country, remaining in peace with all other countries in the Middle East.
Politics
\nMain article: Politics of Oman
Chief of state and government is the sultan, who appoints a cabinet to assist him. The title of sultan is hereditary. In the early 1990s, the sultan instituted an elected advisory council, the Majlis ash-Shura, though only a small part of the Omanis were elegible to vote. Universal suffrage for those over 21 was instituted on October 4 2003. Over 190,000 people (74% of those registered) voted to elect the 83 seats. Two women were elected to seats.
Although the sultan functions basically as a totalitarian ruler, he has the approval of most of the Omanis: in his 30 years of government he has greatly improved the situation in the country. The governmental system is developing into a democracy, although this is done only gradually.
Regions
\nMain article: Regions of Oman
Oman is divided into eight regions (mintaqah). These regions are subdivided into smaller districts (wilayat).
- Ad Dakhiliyah\n* Al Batinah\n* Al Wusta\n* Ash Sharqiyah\n* Az Zahirah or Ad Dhahirah\n* Masqat\n* Musandam \n* Zufar or Dhofar
Geography
\nMain article: Geography of Oman
A vast desert plain covers most of central Oman, with mountain ranges along the north and southeast coast, where the countries main cities are also located: capital city Muscat, Matrah and Sur in the north, and Salalah in the south. Oman's climate in the interior is hot and dry, but humid along the coast.
The peninsula of Musandam which has a strategic location on the Strait of Hormuz, is separated from the rest of Oman by the United Arab Emirates. Not all of Oman's borders with that country are well defined. Oman is considered to be one of the fifteen states that comprise the so-called "Cradle of Humanity"
Economy
\nMain article: Economy of Oman
The economy of Oman is dominated by its dependence on Crude oil. A joint venture called IPC drilled a number of dry holes from 1956 onwards though the logistics of doing this were extremely difficult due to lack of any transportation infrastructure.
A lack of success, combined with worsening logistical problems and a glut of oil on the world market, led most of the partners to withdraw from the venture in 1960. Only Shell and Partex opted to remain in Oman to continue the search for oil. They struck oil at Yibal in 1962 at a site just some few hundreds of metres from the last dry hole.
Today Oman produces around 700,000 barrels (110,000 m³) of oil per day and there have been significant discoveries of natural gas and development of LNG terminals.
The income generated was quickly deployed into building infrastructures of roads, schools, hospitals, water and electricity generating plants. All of this activity has made Oman a major success story for economic growth.\n \nOman's economic performance improved significantly in 2000 due largely to the upturn in oil prices. The government is moving ahead with privatization of its utilities, the development of a body of commercial law to facilitate foreign investment, and increased budgetary outlays. Oman continues to liberalise its markets and joined the World Trade Organization in November 2000. GDP growth improved in 2001 despite the global economic slowdown.
Demographics
\nMain article: Demographics of Oman
The majority of the Omanis are Arabs, although there is a sizable Baluchi minority. Like in most other Arab countries, a large number of foreign laborers lives here, mostly from India, Pakistan and Iran. The official language is Arabic, but the minorities speak their own languages.
Islam is the predominant religion, mostly Ibadhi Muslims; many of the Indians practise Hinduism.
Culture
\nMain article: Culture of Oman
Although Oman is a modern country, western influences are restricted; the Ibadhi form of Islam is very strict in comparison with Sunni Islam and Shi'a Islam.
Oman is famous for its khanjar knives.
Miscellaneous topics
\n* Communications in Oman\n*
Transportation in Oman\n*
Military of Oman\n*
Foreign relations of Oman\n*
List of cities in Oman
External links
\n*Omani Ministry of Information
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Category:Middle Eastern countries\nCategory:Arab League\nCategory:Arabia\nCategory:Gulf states\nCategory:Monarchies
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