#Oman officially the Sultanate of Oman, is a country on the southeastern coast of #ArabianPeninsula. The oldest and continuously independent state in the #Arab world. Located in an area just outside the Gulf of #Hormuz on the mouth of #PersianGulf. Oman shares boundaries with #SaudiArabia, #UnitedArabEmirates, and #Yemen, and shares maritime borders with #Iran, and #Pakistan. The Madha and Musandam enclaves are surrounded by UAE on their land borders.
The Strait of #Hormuz and Gulf of Oman form its coastal boundaries. #Muscat is the capital and largest city, the principal trading port of the Persian Gulf region. Omani Sultanate was at its peak in the 19th century and extended across the Strait of Hormuz into modern-day #Iran and #Pakistan up to #Zanzibar. Oman is a member of #UnitedNations, #ArabLeague, #Gulf Cooperation Council, Non-Aligned Movement, and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
An oil-rich nation its economy involves #tourism and trading fish, dates, and other agricultural produce. Oman is categorized as a high-income economy and is one of the most peaceful countries, especially considering the volatile political scenario of Persian Gulf nations. Sultan #QaboosbinSaid was the hereditary leader of Oman as an absolute monarch, from 1970 until his death on 10 January 2020, and is considered as the main reason for this happening. After deposing his father in 1970, Sultan Qaboos opened up the country, embarked on economic reforms, and followed a policy of modernization marked by increased spending on health, education, and welfare.
Over centuries tribes from western #Arabia settled in Oman, making a living by fishing, farming, herding, or stock breeding, and many present-day Omani families trace their ancestral roots to other parts of Arabia. #Arab migration to Oman started from northern-western and south-western Arabia and those who chose to settle had to compete with the indigenous population for the best arable land. In the 7th century AD, Omanis came in contact with and accepted Islam.
During the 11th and 12th centuries, the Omani coast was in the sphere of influence of the Seljuk Empire. The #Portuguese arrived in Oman and occupied Muscat for 143-years from 1507 to 1650. The Portuguese in need of an outpost to protect their sea lanes, built up and fortified the city, remnants of Portuguese architectural style still exist in the city. Later, several more Omani cities were colonized in the 16th century by the Portuguese, to control the entrances of the Persian Gulf.
The #Ottoman#Turks temporarily captured Muscat from the Portuguese from 1581 until 1588. During the 17th century, the Omanis were reunited by #Yaruba Imams. The Omanis over time established a maritime empire that pursued the Portuguese and expelled them from all their possessions in East #Africa north of #Mozambique, which were incorporated into Omani domains. In 1854, a deed of cession of the Omani Kuria Muria islands to Britain was signed by the sultan of Muscat and the British government.
The #British government gained control over Muscat, which, for the most part, impeded competition from other nations. In 1981, Oman became a founding member of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council. Oman is a vast gravel desert plain that covers most of central Oman, with mountain ranges along the north and southeast coast where the country’s main cities are located: the capital city Muscat, #Sohar and #Sur in the north, #Salalah in the south and #Musandam.
Oman’s climate is hot and dry in the interior and humid along the coast.The central desert of Oman is an important source of meteorites for scientific analysis. #Biodiversity of Oman is consistent with #desert but lots of #wildanimals #birds are found in the country, especially #Dhofar region is known for its greenery. The country mostly depends on #migrantworkers to run its #economymostly employed in the oil and gas sector. In 2018, sales of oil and gas generated 71% of the government’s revenues. Tourism in Oman has grown considerably recently, and it is expected to be one of the largest industries in the country in a few years. Most of the #tourists are from other Asian countries.
Oman has one of the most diverse environments in the # Middle East with various tourist attractions and is particularly well known for #adventure and #cultural tourism. Muscat was named the second-best city to visit in the world in 2012 by #LonelyPlanet and was also was chosen the Capital of Arab Tourism in 2012. Oman has considerably improved its #health and #eduction sector since 1970. Unlike other gulf countries, #Oman is far more open in # art #music. In 1985, Sultan Qaboos had founded the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra. Instead of engaging foreign musicians, he decided to establish an orchestra made up of Omanis.
#Cuisine of Oman is diverse and has been influenced by many #cultures but #meat is central to the food eating habits. Oman has a special relation with #Indiua as many Oman citizens visit India and many India visit Oman. Many Indian families have family ties in Oman. Known for its long stretch of #beaches that are ideal for various activities like #sunbathing, #swimming, #kitesurfing, #scubadiving, #snorkeling, #boating #jetskiiing, #surfing, beach walking, and fishing. As part of #, adventure tourism #camelsafari or #dunebashing and #sandboarding in the Wahiba Sands and other desert areas are popular.
Overnight stays sometimes include stays in Barsti huts, barbecues, and visits to Bedouin communities. There are numerous #museums in Oman including the Museum of Omani Heritage, National Museum of Oman, Oman Children’s Museum, Oman Natural History Museum, Oman Oil and Gas Exhibition Centre, and Omani Aquarium and Marine Science and Fisheries Centre that are worth visiting. There are numerous #forts in Oman that are also worth visiting. There are 4 #UNESCO #WorldHeritage sites in Oman including Bahla Fort, Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn, Land of Frankincense trees in Dhofar, Falaj irrigation systems.
The country regularly organizes #musical and #theatre #festivals. The country regularly organizes #racing events across the desert involving cars, camels, horses, and even #sailing on the seas. Known for its stunning landscape there are numerous hotels and resorts in the country that offer luxurious, mid-range, and budget accommodation o, tourists. restaurants offer delicious #arabic as well as #Indian cuisine at reasonable prices. Well connected by air, land, and sea Oman has numerous opportunities for enjoyment for tourists, even #alcohol is available at select places. The country has good shopping options in major cities only. Overall Oman is worth visiting for discerning travelers on a week-long visit.
