Country	Oman
Capital	Muscat
Continent	Asia
Currency	Rial(OMR)
Languages	Arabic

Locaion

Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE

Geographic Co ordinates

21 00 N, 57 00 E

Land Boundries

Total:1,374 km
Border countries:Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km

Geography - note

strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

Population

2,967,717
Country comparison to the world:136

Nationality

Noun:Omani(s)
Adjective:Omani

Ethnic groups

Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African

Religions

Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu) 25%

Languages

Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects

Country Name

Conventional long form:Sultanate of Oman
Conventional short form:Oman
Local long form:Saltanat Uman
Local short form:Uman
Former:Muscat and Oman

Government Type

monarchy

Capital

Name:Muscat
Geographic coordinates:23 37 N, 58 35 E
Time difference:UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

5 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 4 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Buraymi*, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat (Muscat)*, Musandam*, Zufar (Dhofar)*

Independence

1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

National Holiday

Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)

Constitution

none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be a constitution which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens

Legal system

based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces are not allowed to vote

Executive branch

Chief of state:Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government
Head of government:Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972)
Cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the monarch
(For more information visit the World Leaders website)
Elections:the monarchy is hereditary

Legislative branch

bicameral Majlis Oman consists of Majlis al-Dawla or upper chamber (71 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has only advisory powers and Majlis al-Shura or lower chamber (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; body has only advisory powers)
Elections:last held on 27 October 2007 (next to be held in 2011)
Election results:new candidates won 46 seats and 38 members of the outgoing Majlis kept their positions; none of the 20 female candidates was elected

Judicial branch

Supreme Court
note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has judges who practice secular and sharia law

Political Parties and Leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

Chief of mission:Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI
Chancery:2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone:[1] (202) 387-1980
FAX:[1] (202) 745-4933

Diplomatic representation from the US

Chief of mission:Ambassador Richard J. SCHMIERER
Embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat
Mailing address:P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Muscat
Telephone:[968] 24-643-400
FAX:[968] 24-699771

Flag description

three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band

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Government - Ministry of Information Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry Of Education
Newspapers -  Oman Daily Observer Oman News Agency TheWeek Times of Oman
                              Truth Out Al Shabiba Alwatan
Tourism -         Ministry of Tourism

Google News

Oman just allowed citizens of 25 countries to enter on an ... - Times of Oman Oman just allowed citizens of 25 countries to enter on an ... Times of Oman Royal Oman Police has announced that citizens of some 25 countries can now come to Oman on a non-sponsored e-visa. Photo Shutterstock. x. Royal Oman ... and more » 50 companies attend 'Invest in Oman' forum in Geneva - Oman Tribune Oman Tribune 50 companies attend 'Invest in Oman' forum in Geneva Oman Tribune The management from Ithraa, Oman's investment and export development agency, in partnership with Arab Swiss chamber of commerce and industry held a one-day Invest in Oman Forum in Geneva on Tuesday. The forum was opened by Sultanate's ... and more » New home address system to give Oman economy a boost - Times of Oman Times of Oman New home address system to give Oman economy a boost Times of Oman “The e-commerce market in Oman holds a lot of potential growth opportunities. The global e-commerce market is expected to touch US$2t by 2020 and has a share of 7.8% of the total sales whereas Oman accounts for just 1% of the total sales.The upcoming ... Oman to award third mobile licence to local consortium, cancels tenders - ETTelecom.com ETTelecom.com Oman to award third mobile licence to local consortium, cancels tenders ETTelecom.com It did not give details on when TRA would award the third licence. The new operator will compete with Oman Telecommunications Co. (Omantel) and Ooredoo Oman. Oman had already received bids from Saudi Telecom (STC), Kuwait's Zain, Sudan's Sudatel, ... Oman shares gain on better activity - Times Of Oman - Times of Oman Times of Oman Oman shares gain on better activity - Times Of Oman Times of Oman Muscat: Shares on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) edged up with the general index marginally gaining 1.44 points to close at 5,090.15 points. The market ... and more » OmanPride: Duqm, Oman's city of the future - Times Of Oman - Times of Oman Times of Oman OmanPride: Duqm, Oman's city of the future - Times Of Oman Times of Oman #Readersresponse: With Oman looking to boost its economic output and diversity it sources through the Tanfeedh initiative, the Sultanate's government has ... Why China's investment in Oman mattersThe New Arab all 4 news articles » Oman abandons bidding process for third mobile phone operator - gulfnews.com Al-Bawaba Oman abandons bidding process for third mobile phone operator gulfnews.com The Gulf state's third mobile operator will be run by a local company owned by the funds and a “strategic global partner,” state-run Oman News Agency reported on Wednesday. The decision was taken to reinforce the role of wealth funds and have them ... Oman Cancels Bids for Third Mobile License, Awards License to Local CompanyAl-Bawaba all 4 news articles » Oman Air Loses Chief Executive, In Further Sign Of Growing Pains For Country's Aviation Sector - Forbes Forbes Oman Air Loses Chief Executive, In Further Sign Of Growing Pains For Country's Aviation Sector Forbes The chief executive of Oman Air has unexpectedly resigned from the airline, just three months after the CEO of Oman's only other commercial carrier – Salam Air – also stepped aside. Oman Air confirmed in a series of Twitter messages on October 16 that ... Oman Air CEO Paul Gregorowitsch resignsArabianBusiness.com Oman Air CEO Paul Gregorowitsch resigns - Times Of OmanTimes of Oman Oman Air CEO resignsgulfnews.com Arab News all 12 news articles » Oman pledges to support Tanzania's industrial drive - Xinhua Oman pledges to support Tanzania's industrial drive Xinhua DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Oman on Wednesday pledged to support Tanzania on its drive towards an industrial economy aimed at making the east African nation a middle-income country by 2025. Mohammed Al Rumhy, Oman's Minister for Oil and ... and more » Is this fantastically luxurious hotel in Oman set to star in the next series of BBC Two's Amazing Hotels? - Telegraph.co.uk Telegraph.co.uk Is this fantastically luxurious hotel in Oman set to star in the next series of BBC Two's Amazing Hotels? Telegraph.co.uk Amazing Hotels presenter Giles Coren has hinted on social media that the next series will feature an episode on Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort in Oman. Tom Mulvihill, Assistant content editor - Hotels. 17 October 2017 • 5:31pm. As Giles Coren and ...