Oman
Sultanate of Oman
Capital: Muscat
History
The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and he has since ruled as sultan. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, Omanis began staging marches and demonstrations to demand economic benefits, an end to corruption, and greater political rights. In response to protester demands, QABOOS in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting legislative and regulatory powers to the Majlis al-Shura and introducing unemployment benefits. In August 2012, the Sultan announced a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector jobs. As part of the government's efforts to decentralize authority and allow greater citizen participation in local governance, Oman successfully conducted its first municipal council elections in December 2012. Announced by the Sultan in 2011, the municipal councils will have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates.
Geography
Metric Units
|
Total Area
|
309,500
sq km
|
| Land Boundaries |
1,374
km
|
| Border Countries |
Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km |
| Coastline |
2,092
km
|
| Terrain |
central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south |
| Minimum Elevation |
0
m
|
| Maximum Elevation |
2,980
m
|
| 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 |
| Arable Land |
0.1% |
| Permanent Crops |
0.12% |
Economy
Budget & Debt
Trade
| Exports |
$48.43 billion |
| Export Items |
petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles |
| Export Partners |
China 30.2%, South Korea 10.9%, UAE 10.6%, Japan 10.4%, India 9.2%, Thailand 5.3%, US 4.6% (2011) |
| Imports |
$23.37 billion |
| Import Items |
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants |
| Import Partners |
UAE 27.7%, Japan 11.9%, US 6.1%, India 5.4%, China 4.2%, Saudi Arabia 4.1%, Germany 4% (2011) |
People
| Population |
3,154,134 |
| Population Growth |
2.06% |
| Ethnic Groups |
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African |
| Religion |
Ibadhi Muslim (official) 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu) 25% |
| Life Expectancy |
74.72 years |
| Infant Mortality |
1.22 deaths/1,000 live births |
| Maternal Mortality |
2.3 deaths/100,000 live births |
Energy
