Location
The Sultanate of Oman is known for its strategic geographical location in the southwestern part of Asia, particularly in the south eastern quarter of the Arabian Peninsula.
Oman’s coastline extends for 3165 km from the Strait of Hormuz in the north to the borders with Yemen. The Sultanate of Oman overlooks three seas: the Arabian Sea, the Sea of Oman, and the Arabian Gulf. It is bordered to the west by the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to the south by the Republic of Yemen, to the north by the Strait of Hormuz, and to the east by the Arabian Sea. This allowed Oman to be open to various cultures of the world and open channels of political, economic and cultural communication. Oman is the third largest country in the Arabian Peninsula, with an area of about 309,500 square km.
Population
Oman’s capital is Muscat. The Sultanate’s population is 4.688 million, 2.669 million Omanis and 1.999 million expatriates, according to the statistics released by the National Center for Statistics and Information in September 2019.
The population in the Sultanate is spread among 11 governorates (Muscat Governorate, Musandam Governorate, Dhofar Governorate, Al Buraimi Governorate, North and South Al Batinah Governorates, North and South Al Sharqiyah Governorates, Al Wusta Governorate, and Al Dhahirah Governorate). The total number of wilayats in these governorates is 61.
The climate
The Sultanate’s climate is hot in the summer and moderate in the winter. Dhofar Governorate in the south of the Sultanate is known for its autumn season, which is characterized by its rainy climate. The Governorate attracts tourists from inside and outside the Sultanate for a period of approximately 3 months (June - September) each year.
Language and religion
Islam is the official religion, and it is the source of government legislation. Arabic is the official language in Oman.
Oman Renaissance
The architect of the modern Oman renaissance, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimur, may Allah rest his soul in paradise, took power on July 23, 1970. Late His Majesty the Sultan dedicated his almost 50 years rule to turning Oman from a small agrarian country into a modern nation without prejudice to its culture and traditions. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimur, may Allah rest his soul in paradise, died on January 10, 2020, leaving behind a great historical legacy in the hearts of Omanis and the world.
Today, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq bin Taimur, is the ruler of Oman. At his inaugural speech, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq affirmed the broad lines of Oman’s policy:
Completing the development march that was initiated by late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos.
Adherence to the policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries and promoting cooperation among Gulf Cooperation Council states.
Reiterating Oman commitment to support the League of Arab States and the United Nations to achieve their goals and keep the region away from conflicts.