Difference between revisions of "Oman" - New World Encyclopedia
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| + | == Geography == | ||
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| + | Most of Oman (about 80%) is covered by a broad, rocky, barren, and mainly flat desert, the [[Rub al-Khali]], the same vast terrain that dominates southern Saudi Arabia. Though Omani culture and practices have their origins in the tribal life that developed in this region, in the modern era only the occasional wadi, oasis, and camel are seen there. | ||
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| + | The Hajar Mountains in the northeast run parallel to the coast, with one peak nearly reaching 3,000 meters. They afford the only moderate temperatures in the summer from the heat that permeates the country, as it does all the Arabian Peninsula. | ||
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| + | Oman's capital, [[Muscat]], and the other main towns are all located along the narrow coastal plain. The climate on this strip of land differs from that of the interior desert only in humidity. The coast in the unpopulated southwest is characterized by its towering cliffs. | ||
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| + | The Musandam exclave (similar to Alaska's geographical relationship to the contiguous United States) commands a strategic site overlooking the chokepoint between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf (known by Arabs as the Arabian Gulf). It's a land apart from the Omani mainland in another sense, that being its appearance and economy. Its main prong thrusting into the Strait of Hormuz is jagged and flooded and has been compared to Norway and its fjords. | ||
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| + | There is an additional exclave, though a smaller one, between Musandam and the rest of Oman, in the territory of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which makes it an enclave as well as an exclave. And inside the Omani enclave is a tiny enclave of the UAE, the only such oddity known. | ||
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== History == | == History == | ||
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The region of Oman was once known by its [[Sumerian language|Sumerian]] name [[Magan]]. Oman constituted one of the [[Satrap]]ies of the [[Persian Empire]]. It was incorporated by that empire around [[563 B.C.E.]]. | The region of Oman was once known by its [[Sumerian language|Sumerian]] name [[Magan]]. Oman constituted one of the [[Satrap]]ies of the [[Persian Empire]]. It was incorporated by that empire around [[563 B.C.E.]]. | ||
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Although the sultan functions basically as an [[political absolutism|absolute]] Ruler, he has the approval of most of the Omanis: in his 30 years of government he has greatly improved the situation in the country. The governmental system is very gradually developing in the direction of some [[democracy]]. | Although the sultan functions basically as an [[political absolutism|absolute]] Ruler, he has the approval of most of the Omanis: in his 30 years of government he has greatly improved the situation in the country. The governmental system is very gradually developing in the direction of some [[democracy]]. | ||
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== Economy == | == Economy == | ||
Revision as of 06:28, 19 September 2005
Like a figurehead on a ship's prow, the shape of which it resembles, the Sultanate of Oman juts sharply from the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula into the Arabian Sea. The country shares desert borders with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The seacoast also includes the Gulf of Oman in the northeast, where the exclave peninsula of Musandam looks across the Strait of Hormuz to Iran.
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| National motto: none | |||||
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| Official language | Arabic | ||||
| Capital | Muscat | ||||
| Sultan | Qaboos bin Said Al Said | ||||
| Area - Total - % water |
Ranked 83rd 309,500 km² 0% | ||||
| Population - Total (2005) - Density |
Ranked 132nd 3,001,583 12.3/km² | ||||
| Independence | 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese); 1971 from the UK | ||||
| National anthem | Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani | ||||
| Currency | Rial | ||||
| Time zone | UTC+4 | ||||
| Internet TLD | .om | ||||
| Calling Code | 968 | ||||
Geography
Most of Oman (about 80%) is covered by a broad, rocky, barren, and mainly flat desert, the Rub al-Khali, the same vast terrain that dominates southern Saudi Arabia. Though Omani culture and practices have their origins in the tribal life that developed in this region, in the modern era only the occasional wadi, oasis, and camel are seen there.
The Hajar Mountains in the northeast run parallel to the coast, with one peak nearly reaching 3,000 meters. They afford the only moderate temperatures in the summer from the heat that permeates the country, as it does all the Arabian Peninsula.
Oman's capital, Muscat, and the other main towns are all located along the narrow coastal plain. The climate on this strip of land differs from that of the interior desert only in humidity. The coast in the unpopulated southwest is characterized by its towering cliffs.
The Musandam exclave (similar to Alaska's geographical relationship to the contiguous United States) commands a strategic site overlooking the chokepoint between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf (known by Arabs as the Arabian Gulf). It's a land apart from the Omani mainland in another sense, that being its appearance and economy. Its main prong thrusting into the Strait of Hormuz is jagged and flooded and has been compared to Norway and its fjords.
There is an additional exclave, though a smaller one, between Musandam and the rest of Oman, in the territory of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which makes it an enclave as well as an exclave. And inside the Omani enclave is a tiny enclave of the UAE, the only such oddity known.
History
The region of Oman was once known by its Sumerian name Magan. Oman constituted one of the Satrapies of the Persian Empire. It was incorporated by that empire around 563 B.C.E.
After Oman’s development in the 3rd century B.C.E., the Persians developed an empire in the 4th century B.C.E. This empire lasted until the 7th century AD. In the beginning of the 1st Century AD Arab tribes began to settle into Oman. In 632 the Persian Empire lost power and Oman’s Arab character was established.
In the year 751 the Ibadi Muslims made an imamate in Oman. An imamate is a country ruled by an imam, or any of various rulers who claim that they have descent from the prophet Muhammad. These leaders would exercise spiritual leadership over the country. The Ibadi Muslims are considered by other Muslims to be a branch of the Kharijites. The Kharijites is the earliest Muslim sect which was originally among the supporters of Ali, the fourth caliph of Islam. A caliph is very similar to an imam in definition. The Ibadi imamate survived until the mid-20th Century.
Oman has been a centre for traders for centuries. In 1508, the main port, Muscat, was captured by the Portuguese, who held it until it was taken by the Ottomans in 1659. These were driven out in 1741, when the present line of sultans was formed by Ahmed ibn Said.
In the early 19th century, Oman grew to a major power, having possessions in Baluchistan and Zanzibar, but these were gradually all lost. In 1891, Oman became a British protectorate, which lasted until 1971. The year prior, sultan Said ibn Taimur had been ousted by his son, sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, (ruled 1970 - ). Qaboos has since greatly improved the economic situation of the country, remaining in peace with all other countries in the Middle East. In 1996 the sultan issued a decree promulgating a new basic law that clarifies the royal succession, provides for a bicameral advisory council with some limited legislative powers and a prime minister, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens. Military bases in Oman were used (2001) by U.S. forces involved in ground raids against Afghanistan and Osama bin Laden. In 2003 the lower house of the advisory council was freely elected for the first time.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Oman
Chief of state and government is the hereditary sultan (Qaboos of Oman), who appoints a cabinet to assist him. In the early 1990s, the sultan instituted an elected advisory council, the Majlis ash-Shura, though only a small part of the Omanis were elegible to vote. Universal suffrage for those over 21 was instituted on 4 October 2003. Over 190,000 people (74% of those registered) voted to elect the 83 seats. Two women were elected to seats.
Although the sultan functions basically as an absolute Ruler, he has the approval of most of the Omanis: in his 30 years of government he has greatly improved the situation in the country. The governmental system is very gradually developing in the direction of some democracy.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Oman
The economy of Oman is dominated by its dependence on crude oil. A joint venture called IPC drilled a number of dry holes from 1956 onwards though the logistics of doing this were extremely difficult due to lack of any transportation infrastructure.
A lack of success, combined with worsening logistical problems and a glut of oil on the world market, led most of the partners to withdraw from the venture in 1960. Only Royal Dutch/Shell and Partex opted to remain in Oman to continue the search for oil. They struck oil at Yibal in 1962 at a site just some few hundreds of metres from the last dry hole.
In June 1967, the Compagnie Française des Pétroles rejoined the partnership by taking over 10% of Partex's equity share, resulting in the following shareholding: Shell 85%, Compagnie Française des Pétroles 10% and Partex 5%. The company changed its name to Petroleum Development (Oman). Shortly followed by the first export of Omani oil on 27 July 1967.
On 1 January 1974 the Government of Oman acquired a 25% shareholding in the Petroleum Development (Oman); half a year later they increased it to 60%, backdated to the beginning of the year. As a result foreign shareholding in PD(O) was now made up of Royal Dutch/Shell (34%), Compagnie Française des Pétroles (now Total)(4%) and Partex (2%).
In a Royal Decree of 15 May 1980, the company was registered as a limited liability company (LLC) under the name Petroleum Development Oman (without parentheses).
Today Oman produces around 700,000 barrels (110,000 m³) of oil per day and there have been significant discoveries of natural gas and development of liquefied natural gas terminals. Oil represents about 90% of Oman's exports.
The income generated was quickly deployed into building infrastructures of roads, schools, hospitals, water and electricity generating plants. All of this activity has made Oman a major success story for economic growth despite being the only oil-producing nation in the middle east that is not a member of OPEC.
Oman's economic performance improved significantly in 2000 due largely to the upturn in oil prices. The government is moving ahead with privatization of its utilities, the development of a body of commercial law to facilitate foreign investment, and increased budgetary outlays. Oman continues to liberalise its markets and joined the World Trade Organization in November 2000. GDP growth improved in 2001 despite the global economic slowdown.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Oman
Oman is the world's easternmost Arabian country. The majority of the Omanis are Arabs, although there is a sizable Baluchi minority (Iranian people). As in most other Arab countries, a large number of foreign laborers live here, mostly from India, Pakistan and Iran. The official language is Arabic, but the minorities speak their own languages. A non-Arabic Semitic language is spoken in Dhofar.
Islam is the predominant religion, mostly Ibadhi Muslims with a Sunni population in Dhofar.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Oman
Although Oman is a modern country, western influences are quite restricted; the Ibadhi form of Islam is very strict in comparison with Sunni Islam and Shi'a Islam.
Oman is famous for its khanjar knives(dagger).
Although Arabic is Oman's official language, there are still native speakers of dialects or offshoots of Southern Arabian, a Semitic language only distantly related to Arabic. However, even in Oman the dominant indigenous language is a dialect of Arabic.
- Islam in Oman
- Music of Oman
Miscellaneous topics
- Communications in Oman
- Foreign relations of Oman
- List of cities in Oman
- Military of Oman
- Transportation in Oman
External links
- Andy Carvin's Oman Photo Gallery
- Arab Gateway - Oman
- BBC News Country Profile - Oman
- CIA World Factbook - Oman
- LookSmart - Oman directory category
- Omani Ministry of Information
- Petroleum Development Oman
- Oman by Lonely Planet
- Library of Congress Country Study - Oman data as of January 1993
- Open Directory Project - Oman directory category
- Yahoo! - Oman directory category
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