Official name: Sultanate of Oman
Also known as: سلطنة عُمان (Arabic), Salṭanat ʿUmān
Capital:
Muscat Total Area: 309,500 km² (119,500 mi²)
Approximate population: 4,520,471
Location: Southwestern Asia, Middle East
Languages:
Arabic,
Baluchi,
Indian languages Religions:
Sunni Muslim,
Ibadhi Muslim
Currency:
Omani rial (RO) (OMR)
Organizations: United Nations
Border countries (3):
Saudi Arabia 676 km (420 mi),
United Arab Emirates 410 km (250 mi),
Yemen 288 km (179 mi).
Coastline: 3,165 km (1,967 mi)
Maritime boundaries: Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean
Oman is divided into (11) governorates (Also known as: Muhafazah) as of 28 October 2011:
Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Buraymi, Al Wusta, Az Zahirah, Janub al Batinah (Al Batinah South), Janub ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah South), Masqat (Muscat), Musandam, Shamal al Batinah (Al Batinah North), Shamal ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah North), Zufar (Dhofar).
Cities, towns, and villages
- Muscat - the historic capital and largest city
- Bahla - oasis town which is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Buraimi - border crossing town adjacent to Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates
- Ibra - gateway to the *Wahiba Sands
- Matrah - adjoining the capital city and just as historic
- Nizwa - contains one of the best-known forts in Oman
- Salalah - the south, which is almost tropical at the time of the Kareef (southeastern monsoon)
- Sohar - one of the the legendary homes of Sindbad
- Sur - where dhows are still made by hand
Natural resources: petroleum, copper, asbestos, Limited marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas.
*Note: Wahiba Sands is a vast sand dune-filled desert just south of Sur in Central Coastal Oman.