Oman

Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is a country in the southeastern Arabian Peninsula in West Asia. It shares land borders with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Oman's coastline faces the Arabian Sea to the southeast and the Gulf of Oman on the northeast. The capital and largest city is Muscat.

Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab world, and has been ruled by the Al Bu Said dynasty since 1744. In the past, Oman was a strong regional power with an empire that reached as far as Zanzibar. Today, Oman has a growing economy based on oil, tourism, and agriculture. It is known for its peaceful development and high living standards.

Oman is an absolute monarchy ruled by a Sultan. Qaboos bin Said served as sultan from 1970 until 2020, and Haitham bin Tariq became the new Sultan in 2020. Oman is part of many international groups, including the United Nations, the Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Etymology

The oldest known written mention of "Oman" is found on a tomb in the Mleiha Archeological Center in the United Arab Emirates. The name "Oman" is believed to have been used long before famous writers like Pliny the Elder and Ptolemy wrote about it.

People often say the name "Oman" comes from Arabic words meaning 'settled' people, different from wandering Bedouins. Some stories say it was named after a person, while others think it comes from a valley in Ma'rib, Yemen.

In the past, other cultures had different names for the area. The ancient Sumerians and Mesopotamians called it Magan. The Persians called it Mazun, a name linked to the region's cloudy skies and rich water supply that helped farming and growth for many years.

History

Prehistory

Early human tools were found in Oman, showing that people lived there a very long time ago. These tools were different from others found in Africa and helped scientists learn about how people moved and lived during ancient times.

Ancient history

Magan civilisation

Oman was known as "Magan" a long time ago. People traded copper and other valuable materials from Oman to nearby lands. This made Oman an important place for trade and sharing resources.

Iron Age to pre-Islamic period

Frankincense, a special kind of perfume, was very important to traders in ancient times. Oman was one of the places where it came from, which made it a key location for trade routes.

Persian period

At one point, Oman was influenced by empires from nearby areas. Leaders from far away sometimes tried to control Oman, but local people still kept many of their own traditions and ways of life.

Azd tribal migration

Over many years, different groups of people moved to Oman and settled there. These groups brought their own customs and traditions, which added to the rich history of the country.

Imamate of Oman

Oman had a special system of leadership called the Imamate. Leaders were chosen by people, and they helped guide the country through many changes and challenges over time.

Nabhani dynasty

Later, a new group of leaders called the Nabhani dynasty took control. They ruled for a while and helped manage trade, especially with valuable items like frankincense.

Portuguese era

For a time, Oman was influenced by traders from far away who built forts and tried to control trade routes. This brought new changes to the country and its people.

Yaruba dynasty (1624–1744)

The Yaruba leaders helped Oman grow stronger again. They fought back against outside influences and built up Oman's power and trade.

18th and 19th centuries

Oman continued to change with new leaders and outside influences. Treaties with other countries shaped how Oman developed and interacted with the world.

British protectorate status

In the 1800s, Britain became very interested in Oman, especially for trade and protection. They made agreements that gave them more control, which changed how Oman was governed and developed.

Treaty of Seeb

A special agreement called the Treaty of Seeb helped bring peace between different parts of Oman. It let local leaders govern some areas while recognizing the main ruler of the coast.

Reign of Sultan Said (1932–1970)

Sultan Said ruled Oman for many years. His time saw big changes, including World War II, when Oman helped protect important trade routes.

Jebel Akhdar War

There was a conflict called the Jebel Akhdar War when people in the mountains fought against outside forces trying to control them. This showed strong feelings about independence and local control.

Dhofar War

Another conflict happened in a place called Dhofar. It involved different groups and outside help, and it took several years to resolve.

Modern history (1970–present)

In 1970, a new leader named Sultan Qaboos took over. He made many changes to open up the country, improve education and health, and bring modern ideas to Oman.

Oman joined groups like the United Nations and started letting more people take part in government decisions.

Even with some challenges, Oman continued to grow and develop under new leaders after Sultan Qaboos passed away in 2020.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Oman

Oman is a country in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. It shares borders with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The land is mostly a gravel desert in the center, with mountain ranges in the north and southeast. Major cities include the capital, Muscat, along with Sohar, Sur, Salalah, and Musandam. The climate is hot and dry inside the country but more humid along the coast.

The Musandam Peninsula is an area of Oman separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates. Another small part of Oman called Madha is surrounded by UAE land.

Oman has a very hot climate, especially in the summer, with temperatures often between 30°C and 40°C. Rain is rare, mostly falling in January. The southern area near Salalah gets more rain from June to September, bringing cooler temperatures and fog. Some mountain areas can even have snow a few times each year. The highest temperature ever recorded in Oman was 42.6°C.

Oman has many dry river valleys called wadis that fill with water after rain.

Oman's plants and animals include desert shrubs, grasses, and, in wetter areas, coconut palms and trees that produce frankincense. The mountains are home to wildlife such as the Arabian tahr. Oman also has many bird species. Some animals, like the Arabian leopard and green sea turtle, are protected by law. Recently, Oman has become a good place to see whales such as the Arabian humpback whale.

Politics

Main articles: Politics of Oman and Human rights in Oman

Oman is a country where one leader, called the Sultan, has all the power. The Sultan makes all the important decisions, like a king. This means Oman is not considered a free country by groups that watch how countries are run.

The Sultan is the leader and controls everything, including the military and foreign affairs. Laws are made by the Sultan alone, without a regular voting process.

Oman has a special set of rules for running the country, but the Sultan's word is final. The courts and judges follow the Sultan's lead. Oman has two groups that help make suggestions, but the Sultan chooses who is in these groups and they mainly give advice.

The country is divided into areas called governorates, which are then split into smaller areas.

Oman tries to stay friendly with other countries and has kept good relationships with many nations, including some that might not always get along with others.

Oman spends a lot on its military, more than many other countries, but its forces are not as modern as some others. The military includes army, navy, and air force parts.

Main article: Human rights in Oman

See also: LGBT rights in Oman

In Oman, there have been reports of people being treated badly while in custody. The government controls who can share news and information, and there are limits on what people can say or write about the government.

Women in Oman do not have the same rights as men in many areas. There are also challenges for people who move to Oman to work.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Oman

Oman’s economy is based on fair principles and free markets. While it has a diverse economy, it still depends heavily on oil exports. In 2018, oil made up 82.2 percent of all exports by value. Tourism is growing quickly and is becoming a very important part of Oman’s economy. Other areas like farming and industry are smaller but the government wants to grow them.

Oman has been working to diversify its economy since oil prices dropped in 1998. It has a plan called 2040 Vision to reduce the role of oil. Oman also has a free-trade agreement with the United States, which helps businesses there. Tourism continues to grow and bring in more money for the country.

Oman relies on foreign workers, many from India, who help build and run many jobs. These workers earn less than Omani citizens but still more than they would at home. Oman also receives a lot of investment from other countries, especially the United Kingdom.

Oil and gas

Oman has about 5.5 billion barrels of oil, which ranks 25th in the world. The main company that finds and processes oil is Petroleum Development Oman. After an energy crisis in the 1970s, Oman increased its oil production.

In 2018, oil and gas made up 71 percent of the government’s money. Between 2000 and 2007, oil production dropped by more than 26 percent but has since recovered. Oman also has natural gas reserves and produces a lot each year.

Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Oman faces challenges in growing its industries, innovation, and infrastructure. While it does well in internet use and mobile services, it does less well in research and development. Most jobs are in oil, construction, and trade. Oman is improving its ports and building new factories to help grow its economy.

Agriculture and fishing

Fishing is a small but growing part of Oman’s economy. Oman exports a lot of fish, mostly to Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates. Oman is also known for its dates, which make up most of its fruit production. Dates are a big part of Oman’s farming and are exported around the world.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in Oman

Tourism in Oman has been growing fast and is expected to become one of the biggest parts of the economy. In 2016, tourism added 2.8 percent to Oman’s total economy. Many visitors come from other Gulf countries, and many also come from Asia. Oman is known for its beautiful landscapes and cultural experiences.

One popular place is Ras al-Jinz, where many turtles come to nest each year. Oman’s capital, Muscat, is known as a great place to visit and was named one of the best cities in the world in 2012. In 2019, Oman started allowing tourists to get visas online before they arrive.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Oman

By 2020, Oman's population was more than 4.5 million people. About half of these people live in the capital city, Muscat, and nearby areas along the coast. Most people in Oman are Arab, with some groups coming from places like Africa and Baluchistan.

Omani culture is tied to three main things: family and tribe, the Muslim faith, and trading by sea. These ideas shape life in both the cities and the countryside. Many families in Oman have names that show their history, like the name Al-Balushi for people from Baluchistan.

Largest cities

For a more comprehensive list, see List of cities in Oman.

Languages

Arabic is the main language spoken in Oman and is used in schools and government. Many people also speak English, especially in business. Other languages you might hear include Malayalam, Urdu, and Hindi, brought by people from India and Pakistan who work in Oman. Some older languages, like Kumzari and Mehri, are still spoken by a few families but are becoming rarer.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Oman

See also: Islam in Oman

Most people in Oman follow Islam, with many belonging to a special group called the Ibadi school. There are also smaller groups of Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and others, mostly among foreign workers. These communities are found mainly in cities like Muscat and Salalah.

Education

Main article: Education in Oman

Oman has made good progress in education. Almost all young people finish their basic schooling, and many can read and write. However, there is still work to do to make sure everyone gets a good education, especially in subjects like science and technology. The country has universities, with Sultan Qaboos University being the largest.

Health

Main article: Health in Oman

See also: Healthcare in Oman

Oman has improved its health services over the years. Most children get the vaccines they need, and many people can visit a doctor or hospital. The country works hard to keep the air clean and to give everyone good healthcare.

Currency

The Omani rial (Arabic: ريال عُماني; ISO code: OMR) is the official currency of the Sultanate of Oman. Issued by the Central Bank of Oman (CBO), the rial is subdivided into 1,000 baisa (also written baiza, بيسة) — making it one of only a handful of currencies in the world divided into 1,000 rather than 100 subunits. As of 2025, the Omani rial is the third-highest-valued currency unit in the world, after the Kuwaiti dinar and the Bahraini dinar.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Oman

Oman shares many cultural traits with its Arab neighbors, especially those in the Gulf Cooperation Council. However, Oman has its own unique aspects due to its geography and history. The country's culture is diverse, influenced by its past travels across the Swahili Coast and the Indian Ocean.

Oman has a long history of building ships, which helped its people connect with other ancient civilizations. Sur was a famous city for shipbuilding. Building an al Ghanja ship could take a whole year.

Dress

Omani men typically wear a white dishdasha, a long, simple robe, sometimes with small decorations. They also wear a head covering called a ghutra or kummah, and may carry a stick called an assa. For formal events, they wear a black or beige cloak called a bisht. Men also wear a knife called a Khanjar on special occasions.

Omani women wear colorful traditional clothes with lots of embroidery. These include a long tunic called a kandoorah and loose pants called a sirwal. Women often wear a head covering called a lihaf. Today, many women wear a loose black cloak called an abaya for everyday activities.

Art

Oman's art comes from its rich history. Traditional crafts and paintings have developed over time. Today, Omani artists show their work in galleries and international events. The National Museum of Oman, opened in 2016, displays the country's history from ancient times to today.

Music and cinema

Main articles: Music of Oman and Cinema of Oman

Oman has many kinds of traditional music, with over 130 different styles. Music is passed down through generations, with each area having its own songs. There are songs for special events, for sailors, fishermen, and desert life.

Traditional dances include Al-Razha, a war dance with swords, and Al Razfa, where rows of men sing and chant together with drums. The Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra was started in 1985.

Oman's cinema is small, with only one film made as of 2007.

Media

Main article: Mass media in Oman

Oman has one main television channel run by the government, called Oman TV. There is also one private television channel, Majan TV. Oman has one state-owned radio station, Oman Radio, and several private radio stations. The country has nine newspapers, five in Arabic and four in English.

Cuisine

Omani food is varied and influenced by many cultures. Common meals include rice and meat dishes, slow-cooked meat called shuwa, and fish. Popular foods also include Rukhal bread and Omani halwa, a sweet made from sugar and nuts.

Sports

Oman has several traditional sports, such as racing boats, horses, camels, and bulls. Modern sports like football, basketball, and cycling are also popular. Oman has hosted many international sports events, including beach games and cycling tours.