Recently, Oman has secured a seat on the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
About Oman
Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is an independent Arab country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Known for its rich history, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality, it blends ancient traditions with modernity. It is an absolute monarchy with Muscat as its capital and is home to the oldest continuously ruling royal family in Arabia, the Al Bu Said dynasty, in power since 1744.
Key Facts
- Capital and Largest City: Muscat.
- Official Language: Arabic, though English is widely spoken in cities.
- Religion: Islam is the official religion, with the majority of the population being Ibadi Muslim, a moderate branch of Islam.
- Government: Unitary Islamic absolute monarchy. The current Sultan is Haitham bin Tariq Al Said.
- Currency: Omani rial (OMR).
- Economy: A high-income economy with significant oil and natural gas reserves, tourism, and trade of fish and agricultural products. The country is working to diversify its economy through initiatives like Oman Vision 2040.
- Population: Approximately 5.49 million (2025 estimate), with a large expatriate population.
Geography and Climate
- Oman's terrain is diverse, featuring rugged mountains in the north and south, extensive sandy deserts in the central regions (part of the Rub' al Khali, or "Empty Quarter"), and a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.
- The climate is generally hot and dry, with coastal areas experiencing high humidity in summer.
- The southern Dhofar region has a unique climate influenced by the summer monsoon (Khareef), making it more temperate and fertile.
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