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 Introduction
 Geography
 People
 Government
 Economy
 Communications
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 Transnational Issues

This page was last updated on 18 January, 2007


Map of Oman



Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Oman Top of Page
Background:
Definition Field Listing
The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of his father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.
   Geography    Oman Top of Page
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Middle East
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 212,460 sq km
land: 212,460 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
total: 1,374 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
2,092 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m
highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 0.12%
permanent crops: 0.14%
other: 99.74% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
720 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
   People    Oman Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3,102,229
note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 42.7% (male 675,423/female 648,963)
15-64 years: 54.7% (male 1,001,917/female 695,578)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 44,300/female 36,048) (2006 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing
total: 19 years
male: 21.7 years
female: 16.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
3.28% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
36.24 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3.81 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.44 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.23 male(s)/female
total population: 1.25 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 18.89 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 21.65 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 16 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 73.37 years
male: 71.14 years
female: 75.72 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5.77 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1,300 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Omani(s)
adjective: Omani
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition: NA
total population: 75.8%
male: 83.1%
female: 67.2%
   Government    Oman Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form: Oman
local long form: Saltanat Uman
local short form: Uman
former: Muscat and Oman
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
monarchy
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
name: Muscat
geographic coordinates: 23 37 N, 58 35 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
5 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 4 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Buraymi*, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat*, Musandam*, Zufar (Dhofar)*
Independence:
Definition Field Listing
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be a constitution which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
in Oman's most recent Majlis al-Shura elections in 2003, suffrage was universal for all Omanis over age 21 except for members of the military and security forces; the next Majlis al-Shura elections are scheduled for 2007
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlis al-Dawla (58 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats; members elected by popular vote for four-year terms; body has some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has only advisory powers)
elections: last held 4 October 2003 (next to be held October 2007)
election results: NA
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
Supreme Court
note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has judges who practice secular and Shari'a law
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
none
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI
chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988
FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Gary A. GRAPPO
embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat
mailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Muscat
telephone: [968] 24-698989
FAX: [968] 24-699771
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band
   Economy    Oman Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
Oman is a middle-income economy in the Middle East with notable oil and gas resources, a substantial trade surplus, and low inflation. Sustained high oil prices in recent years have helped build Oman's budget and trade surpluses and foreign reserves. Oman joined the World Trade Organization in November 2000 and continues to liberalize its markets. To reduce unemployment and limit dependence on foreign labor, the government is encouraging the replacement of foreign expatriate workers with local workers. Oman actively seeks private foreign investors, especially in the industrial, information technology, tourism, and higher education fields. Industrial development plans focus on gas resources, metal manufacturing, petrochemicals, and international transshipment ports.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$43.88 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field Listing
$27.23 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$14,100 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 2.6%
industry: 38.8%
services: 58.7% (2006 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
920,000 (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
15% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
14.2% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $14.33 billion
expenditures: $12.81 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2006 est.)
Public debt:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.5% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5.9% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
14.33 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
13.33 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
769,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
60,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
721,000 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.7 billion bbl (2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
17.2 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6.77 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10.43 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
829.1 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$7.097 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$24.73 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
China 21.6%, South Korea 19.3%, Japan 14.2%, Thailand 12.6%, UAE 7.1%, Taiwan 4.1% (2005)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$10.29 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
UAE 22.4%, Japan 15.7%, UK 7.7%, US 6.7%, Germany 5.8%, India 4.2% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$4.908 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$4.259 billion (2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing
$76.4 million (1995)
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing
Omani rial (OMR)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
Omani rials per US dollar - 0.3845 (2006), 0.3845 (2005), 0.3845 (2004), 0.3845 (2003), 0.3845 (2002)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
calendar year
   Communications    Oman Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
265,200 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.333 million (2005)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable
domestic: open-wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations
international: country code - 968; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.om
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3,555 (2006)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
245,000 (2005)
   Transportation    Oman Top of Page
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
137 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 131
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 52
914 to 1,523 m: 35
under 914 m: 35 (2006)
Heliports:
Definition Field Listing
1 (2006)
Pipelines:
Definition Field Listing
gas 4,072 km; oil 3,405 km (2006)
Roadways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 34,965 km
paved: 9,673 km (including 550 km of expressways)
unpaved: 25,292 km (2001)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 10,797 GRT/5,040 DWT
by type: passenger 1
registered in other countries: 2 (Kazakhstan 2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field Listing
Mina' Qabus, Salalah
   Military    Oman Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Royal Omani Armed Forces: Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat Oman, RAFO) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 719,871
females age 18-49: 508,621 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 581,444
females age 18-49: 435,107 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 26,391
females age 18-49: 25,466 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
11.4% (2003)
   Transnational Issues    Oman Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah exclave, but details have not been made public
Trafficking in persons:
Definition Field Listing
current situation: Oman is a destination country for men and women primarily from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India who migrate willingly, but may subsequently become victims of trafficking when subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude as domestic workers and laborers; there have been occasional reports that expatriate children engaged in camel racing may transit or reside in Omani territory
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Oman is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List because of a lack of evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons in 2005

This page was last updated on 18 January, 2007


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