Oman - Tourism and Travel

The Sultanate of Oman is a monarchy in southwest Asia. It is located along the eastern and southeastern coasts of the Arabian peninsula and in an enclave inside the United Arab Emirates.

Oman has an area of 119,499 square miles (309,500 square kilometers) and a population of 2,845,000.

The capital is Muscat.

Oman is mostly desert, with a hot, dry climate. There are mountains in the northern and southern parts of the country.

Most of the people live along the coast of the Gulf of Oman.

A large number of people live in rural areas. Most of the people rely on farming or fishing for income.

Almost 90% of the Omani people are Arabs. There are also Baluchis, Persians, Indians, Pakistanis and southern Africans.

Arabic is the official language. Baluchi,Farsi, Hindi and Punjabi are also spoken.

Three quarters of the people are Ibadi Muslims. Other forms of Islam, as well as Hinduism, are also practiced.

The national costume of Omani men consists of a collarless, sleeveless tunic that reaches the ankles, and is known as a dishdasha. It is usually white, but it can sometimes be of other colors. Traditionally, women wear a long dress worn over a pair of pants. These pants are are known as sirwal. The national costume for women also includes a head scarf, which is called a libaf.

Omani dishes usually contain mutton, chicken or fish. Halvah is often eaten for dessert.

Eighty percent of Oman's foreign income comes from oil.

Oman was inhabited more than 8,000 years ago.

It was controlled by Persian dynasties from the 6th century BC until the seventh century AD.

Islam arrived in Oman during the seventh century.

Oman was occupied by Portugal from 1508 to 1648.

In 1744, Oman fell under the control of the Al Bu Said dynasty, and has been under its control ever since.