Oman is an Arab country located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. It is known for its dramatic landscapes of deserts, mountains, and fjord-like inlets, as well as its ancient trading history. The country has long been celebrated for producing and exporting frankincense, a prized resin used in incense and perfumes.
- Capital
- Muscat
- Continent
- Asia
- Region
- Western Asia
- Area
- 309,500 km²
- Coordinates
- 21° N, 57° E
Country facts
- Oman is one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions in the world, with human settlements dating back tens of thousands of years.
- The country was a major maritime power in the 18th and 19th centuries, with an empire that extended to Zanzibar and parts of East Africa.
- Arabic is the official language of Oman, and the country follows the Ibadi school of Islam, which is distinct from both Sunni and Shia traditions.
- Oman's Wahiba Sands is a vast desert of rolling red and white dunes that stretches over thousands of square kilometres.
- The Arabian oryx, Oman's national animal, was reintroduced into the wild there after becoming extinct in the region, marking a major conservation success.
Capital facts
- Muscat has served as a natural harbour for seafarers for over two thousand years due to its sheltered coastal position.
- The city is flanked by rugged volcanic mountains that rise sharply from the coastline, giving it a striking and distinctive setting.
- The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat is one of the largest mosques in the world and welcomes non-Muslim visitors outside prayer times.
- The historic Mutrah Souq in Muscat is one of the oldest markets in Arabia and is famous for frankincense, silverware, and traditional crafts.
- The Al Jalali and Al Mirani forts, built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, still stand guard over Muscat's harbour today.