Oman

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Oman

General Information
Geography
Government
Economy
Population
Health
Communications and media
Chronology


GENERAL INFORMATION

National name Saltanat `Uman/Sultanate of Oman Area 272,000 sq km/105,019 sq mi Capital Muscat Language Arabic (official), English, Urdu, other Indian languages Religion Muslim 75% (predominantly Ibadhi Muslim), about 25% Hindu Time difference GMT +4 Major holidays 18 November (2 days), 31 December; variable: Eid-ul-Adha (5 days), end of Ramadan (4 days), New Year (Muslim), Prophet's Birthday, Lailat al-Miraj (March/April)


GEOGRAPHY

Major towns/cities Salalah, Ibri, Sohar, Al-Buraimi, Nizwa, Sur, Matrah Major ports Mina Qaboos, Mina Raysut Physical features mountains to the north and south of a high arid plateau; fertile coastal strip; Jebel Akhdar highlands; Kuria Muria Islands Airports two international airports and four domestic airports; total passengers carried: 2.8 million (2003 est) Railways none Roads total road network: 32,800 km/20,382 mi of which 30% paved (1999 est); passenger cars: 174 per 1,000 people (1999)


GOVERNMENT

Head of state and government Qaboos bin Said from 1970 Political system absolutist Political executive absolute Administrative divisions eight regional governorates, subdivided into 59 districts Political parties none Death penalty retained and used for ordinary crimes Armed forces 41,700; plus paramilitary forces of 4,400 (2006 est) Conscription military service is voluntary Defence spend (% GDP) 12.3 (2005 est) Education spend (% GDP) 4.6 (2003 est) Health spend (% GDP) 2.7 (2004)


ECONOMY

Currency Omani rial GDP (US$) 24.3 billion (2005 est) Real GDP growth (% change on previous year) 7.1 (2006 est) GNI (US$) 23 billion (2005 est) GNI per capita (PPP) (US$) 14,680 (2005 est) Consumer price inflation 3% (2006 est) Labour force 7.9% agriculture, 27.1% industry, 65% services (2003) Foreign debt (US$) 3.8 billion (2005 est) Major trading partners China, United Arab Emirates, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, USA, UK, Germany Resources petroleum, natural gas, copper, chromite, gold, salt, marble, gypsum, limestone Industries mining, petroleum refining, cement, construction materials, copper smelting, food processing, chemicals, textiles Exports petroleum and gas, re-exports, textiles, animals and products. Principal market: China 23.4% (2005) Imports machinery and transport equipment, basic manufactures, food and live animals, beverages, tobacco. Principal source: United Arab Emirates 19.5% (2005) Arable land 0.1% (2006 est) Agricultural products dates, tomatoes, limes, alfalfa, mangoes, melons, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, onions, peppers, frankincense (agricultural production is mainly at subsistence level); livestock; fishing


POPULATION

Population 2,612,400 (2006 est) Population growth rate 2.2% (2005–10) Population density (per sq km) 10 (2006 est) Urban population (% of total) 79 (2005 est) Age distribution (% of total population) 0–14 35%, 15–59 61%, 60+ 4% (2005 est) Ethnic groups predominantly Arab, with substantial Iranian, Baluchi, Indo-Pakistani, and East African minorities Life expectancy 74 (men); 77 (women) (2005–10) Child mortality rate (under 5, per 1,000 live births) 13 (2004) Education not compulsory Literacy rate 82% (men); 65% (women) (2004 est)


HEALTH

Physicians (per 10,000 people) 12.6 (2004 est) Hospital beds (per 1,000 people) 2 (2003 est) HIV infection (% of population aged 15–49) 0.1 (2005 est) AIDS deaths 200 (2003 est) Access to drinking-water source (% of total population) 81 (urban); 72 (rural) (2002)


COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA

Landline telephones (per 100 people) 10.3 (2005 est) Mobile phone subscribers (per 100 people) 51.9 (2005 est) Radios (per 1,000 people) 598 (1998) TV sets (per 1,000 people) 620 (2004 est) Personal computer users (per 100 people) 4.7 (2005 est) Internet users (per 100 people) 10 (2005 est)


CHRONOLOGY

c. 3000 BC Archaeological evidence suggests Oman may have been the semilegendary Magan, a thriving seafaring state at the time of the Sumerian Civilization of Mesopotamia (the Tigris and Euphrates region of Iraq). 9th century BC Migration of Arab clans to Oman, notably the Qahtan family from southwest Arabia and the Nizar from northwest Arabia, between whom rivalry has continued. 4th century BC–AD 800 North Oman under Persian control. AD 630 Converted to Islam. 751 Julanda ibn Masud was elected imam (spiritual leader); Oman remained under imam rule until 1154. 1151 Dynasty established by Banu Nabhan. 1428 Dynastic rule came under challenge from the imams. 1507 Coastal area, including port city of Muscat, fell under Portuguese control. 1650 Portuguese ousted by Sultan ibn Sayf, a powerful Ya'ariba leader. early 18th century Civil war between the Hinawis (descendents of the Qahtan) and the Ghafiris (descendents of the Nizar). 1749 Independent Sultanate of Muscat and Oman established by Ahmad ibn Said, founder of the Al Bu Said dynasty that still rules Oman. first half of 19th century Muscat and Oman was the most powerful state in Arabia, ruling Zanzibar until 1861, and coastal parts of Persia, Kenya, and Pakistan; came under British protection. 1951 The Sultanate of Muscat and Oman achieved full independence from Britain. Treaty of Friendship with Britain signed. 1964 Discovery of oil led to the transformation of the undeveloped kingdom into a modern state. 1970 After 38 years' rule, Sultan Said bin Taimur replaced in bloodless coup by son Qaboos bin Said. Name changed to Sultanate of Oman; modernization programme launched. 1975 Left-wing rebels in Dhofar in south, supported by South Yemen, defeated with UK military assistance, ending ten-year insurrection. 1981 Consultative Council set up; Oman played key role in establishment of six-member Gulf Cooperation Council. 1982 Memorandum of Understanding with UK was signed, providing for regular consultation on international issues. 1991 Joined US-led coalition opposing Iraq's occupation of Kuwait. 1997 Sultan Qaboos decreed that women could vote and stand for election to majlis al-shura (Consultative Council). Two women elected to council. 1999 Border agreement with United Arab Emirates signed; defined most of their disputed frontier. 2001 Extensive British-Omani military exercises in Omani desert coincided with first strikes launched against Taliban in Afghanistan. 2002 Sultan extended right to vote to all citizens over 21. Previously, voters selected from among tribal leaders, businessmen, and intellectuals. 2003 First elections to Consultative Council in which all citizens over 21 could vote; no change to council's political makeup. 2004 Sultan Qaboos appointed country's first female minister with portfolio. 2005 About 100 suspected Islamists arrested; 31 Omanis, convicted of plotting to overthrow government, pardoned. 2006 Free trade deal with USA signed. 2007 Cyclone Gonu hit Gulf; about 50 people killed in Oman; oil production disrupted. Arabian oryx sanctuary became first site taken off UNESCO's World Heritage list after the rare species declined in number and government reduced park's size by 90%.


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