| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Middle East |
| Geographical Location |
21° 00' North Latitude
57° 00' East Longitude |
| Surface Area |
212,460 sq km |
| Climate |
Dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south |
| Natural Resources |
Petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas |
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| Political Information |
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| Country Name |
Sultanate of Oman |
| Capital City |
Muscat |
| Government Type |
Monarchy |
| Administrative Divisions |
5 regions (manaatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 3 governorates* (muhaafazaat, singular - muhaafaza) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat*, Musandam*, Zufar* |
| Independence Day |
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) |
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| Demographical Information |
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| Population |
3,001,583
Note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Omani |
| Ethnic Groups |
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African |
| Religion |
Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu |
| Languages |
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects |
| Population Growth Rate |
3.32% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
Omani rial (OMR) |
| Industries |
Crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber |
| Labor Force |
920,000 (2002 est.) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA |
| Agriculture Products |
Dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish |
| Export Commodities |
Petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles |
| Export Partners |
China 27.6%, South Korea 17.8%, Japan 12.7%, Thailand 11.7%, UAE 6.6% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants |
| Import Partners |
UAE 17.5%, Japan 16.6%, UK 8.5%, Italy 6.4%, Germany 5.2%, US 4.7%, India 4.3% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
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| Railways |
- |
| Highways |
34,965 km |
| Pipelines |
Gas 3,754 km; oil 3,212 km (2004) |
| Airports |
136 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Matrah, Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Raysut |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+968 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.om |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside
world and has preserved a long-standing political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. |
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