Country Guide • Oman
Oman is located in the extreme south eastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bound by the United Arab Emirates to the north west, Saudi Arabia to the north and west, Yemen to the south west, the Gulf of Oman to the north east and the Arabian Sea to the south east and east.
Official Name | Sultanate of Oman |
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Area | 309,500km² (119,500mile²) |
Population | 2,807,000 |
Continent | Middle East |
Population per mile² | 34 |
Capital City | Muscat |
Religions | Ibadhi Muslim 75%, 11% Sunni Muslim, and Shi'a Muslim, 13% Hindu |
Language | Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects |
Government | Sultanate |
Currency | Omani Rial |
GDP | $22.4 billion |
GDP per Head | $8,300 |
Natural Resources | Petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum and natural gas |
Land Use | Arable Land 0.08% |
Agriculture | Dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish |
Industry | Crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction, cement, copper |
Tourism | With a year round temperature of 19-20°C and many sandy beaches, water sports and sunworshipping are generally order of the day. Oman is one of the more traditional middle eastern countries and as such has a more natural offering |
Natural Hazards | Summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts |
Health Risks | Malaria |
Climate | Oman has an arid subtropical climate. The coastal areas are hot and humid from April to October while during summer the interior is hot and dry with temperatures as high as 54°C. Average annual rainfall is only 2 - 4 inches. Average temperature ranges in Muscat are from 19°C to 38°C all year |
Time | GMT/UTC+4 hours |
National Days | November 18 |
Visas | British passport holders can obtain an entry visa upon arrival at any land, sea or air entry port in Oman. There are two options: A one-month combined tourist/business visa costing 6 Omani Rials (OR). This can be extended for one month for a further 6 or; a one year multiple entry visa, which is valid for three weeks, after which nationals must leave Oman for at least three weeks before returning. The cost for this is 10 OR. |
British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
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