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Home
Sultanate of Oman |
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Language |
Arabic |
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Capital city |
Muscat |
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The Sultan |
H.M Qaboos ben Said |
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area |
309,500²km |
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population (2003) |
2,331,391 |
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National Day |
18 November |
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Currency |
Omani Riyal |
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Time |
GMT +4 |
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National anthem |
See below |
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www. code |
.OM |
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Telephone code |
00968 |
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Sultanate of Oman
The National Flag of Oman was adopted by a Royal Decree on 17th December
1970. The flag is rectangular in shape and is red, white and green in
color. It carries the Sultanate’s emblem of two crossed swords with a
dagger (Omani Khanjar) and belt superimposed. The color of the emblem is
white being placed on the upper angle which is near to the pole from
both sides.
The Flag is divided into three units in the fly by two units in the
hoist. One third of the fly (that is immediately to the hoist) is red.
The remainder of the fly is divided horizontally: white – top, red –
middle, and green – bottom.
Explanation of the colors:
• The white color depicts the conviction of the Omani people in peace
and prosperity.
• The red color has been adopted from the old Omani flag (which was all
red) and this symbolizes the battles fought by Omanis for the eviction
of foreign invaders.
• The green color represents the fertility of the land.
The Emblem:
The emblem was adopted during the middle of the eighteenth century .The
swords and dagger forming the emblem represents the old traditional
weapons of the Omani people.
Oman's National Anthem Lyrics
O Lord, protect for us our Majesty the Sultan
and the people in our land,
with honors and peace.
May he live long, strong and supported,
Glorified be his leadership.
For him we shall lay down our lives.
May he long live, strong and supported,
Glorified be his leadership.
For him we shall lay down our lives.
O Oman, since the time of the Prophet
we are a dedicated people amongst the noblest Arabs.
Happy days are here again
Qaboos has come
with the blessing of Heaven.
Bless him and commend him to the protection of our prayers
Background information
Location:
Sultanate of Oman is located in south-eastern part of the Arab semi-
peninsula, between latitudes 16.40 and 26.30 and longitudes 51.50 and
59.40. Its shore extends from Hormoz in the north to Yemen republic in
the south, so it is open to three seas: Arab Gulf, Oman Gulf and Arab
sea. Bordered by UAE and Saudi Arabia in the west, Republic of Yemen in
the south, Hormoz bay in the north, and Arab sea in the eastern border.
This location has given Oman its historical role in connecting Arab Gulf
states with these countries, by land, sea or air.
Area: Its area is about 309500 km².It is the third largest country in
Arab peninsula.
Capital: Muscat
Religion: Islam
Time: 4 hours for Advanced GMT.
Relief:
The relief varies from flat to mountainous land. The most important
costal flat land and covers 3% of the area and it extends by the sea
shores from Gulf of Oman to Arab sea, while the mountainous land covers
about 15% of the area. The important mountain ranges are Al-Hajar range
that extends from Musandam in the north to Ras Al_Had and Al_Qara ranges
in far south west, 82% of the area is sand and desert which is part of
the Empty Quarter desert.
Islands:
There are so many islands across the shore, and the most important of
which are Masera and Al_Halanyat
Islands.
Vallies:
There are many vallies in Oman like Samael, Rustaq, Hawasna, Sahatan,
Htat, Nam, Adai, Batha´a and Dank vallies and more.
Climate:
Desert climate characterized by long hot humid summer and short warm
winter. The rainy season in northern part of the country is between
November and April. Quantity of rain goes up to about 100 mm. Rain falls
in Dhofar –southern part of the country in July and August which are
part of summer season. Rain seldom falls in desert area.
Population:
According to 2003 census the population is 2,340,815 of which 1,781,558
are Omanis. Expatriates are about 23.9 % of total population.
Population density: 7.8 people per square kilometer.
Population growth rate: 2.8%
The country is preparing for 2010 census.
Life expectancy: 73.4 years.
Administrative Regions:
The Sultanate is divided into five administrative regions and four
governates, and each region/governate is formed of several willayat,
while educational service is administered by ten General Directorates in
seven region and 4 governates, and one directorate in one region (Al-Wosta
region)
Important cities:
Muscat, Salalah, Mirbat, Sur, Ibra, Al_Mudibi, Nizwa, Samael, Ibri,
Buraimi, Sohar, Rustaq and Khasab.
Currency: Omani rial = 2.58 USD (387 Bz one U.S. dollar)
International code of the Internet: OM
International code of the phone: 968
Metrics: the metric system.
Electricity: 220-240 volts.
Holidays:
National Day: November 18 falls each year (an official holiday for two
days later in the month).
Holidays: days vary according to the Hijri year: birth of Prophet
Mohammad's peace and blessings up on him - and Maraj - Eid al-Fitr - the
beginning of Eid al-Adha _Muslim New Year (Hijri Calander)- Renaissance
Day July 23rd each year.
Hours:
Saturday to Wednesday (7.30 am - 2.30 pm), except for the month of
Ramadan (9.00 am 2.00 pm.)
Part of the private sector: from Saturday to Thursday (according to the
system of each company) (8.00 am - 1.00 pm) and (3.30 pm -6.30 pm)
(except the month of Ramadan).
Ports:
Sea ports: Sultan Qaboos port, Al_Fahal port, Salalah ports, Sohar Port
and Duqm port, Qalhat port.
Air ports: Muscat international Airport and Salalah Airport.
Exports:
Petroleum, fish, dates, and copper
Oil production: about 904,700 barrels per day.
Oil reserves: 5.8 billion barrels (proven reserves).
Natural gas reserves: about 24.40 trillion cubic feet (proven reserves).
Copper deposits: about 15 million tons.
Fish stocks: 4.77 million tons.
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