Country's Full Name: Sultanate of Oman; Saltanat Uman

Brief History: Arabs started settling Oman in 9th century BC. Omani people accepted Islam of Ibadhi sect in 7th Century AD. Ibadhi sect is the only form of Islam practiced in Oman. Portuguese occupied Oman from 1508 to 1648 that were driven out by Ottoman Turks. Ahmad ibn Said established his clan by defeating Persian rulers in 1741. Omani rulers in the nineteenth century expanded their empire to present day Pakistan and Iran. They colonized former Portuguese colonies - Zanzibar and Kenya and traded as far as Malaysia. Though never a colony of British Empire, with the disintegration of Omani Sultanate, it became the British protectorate. The present monarch Sultan Qabus ibn Sa'id is the descendent of Sultan Ahmad ibn Sa'id. British educated Sultan Qabus is termed as benevolent ruler who has transformed his country to modernity.

What is the country known for:
Oman is known for Petroleum and its products.
Natural beauties, sand dunes, forts built in medieval times makes it tourist destination.

Main Industries:
Crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber.
Natural resources: petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas

Main Trading Partners:
Exports partners (2006): China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, South Africa, UAE; Exports - commodities: petroleum, fish, metals, textiles; Exports: $24.73 billion f.o.b.
Imports partners (2006): UAE, Japan, US, Germany, India; Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants; Imports: $10.29 billion f.o.b.

Major Cities: Muscat, 797,000 (metro. area), 54,800 (city proper); Al Batinah Governate (538,763), Salalah including suburbs (85,000).

Location: Lying at the Southeast tip of Arabian Peninsula, Oman is a 1,000-mile-long (1,700-km) coastal plain. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Geographic coordinates:
21 00 N, 57 00 E

Size: Total: 212,460 sq km (land: 212,460 sq km/water: 0 sq km)
The country is slightly smaller than Kansas.

Time Zone: GMT/UTC 4 hours

Type of Government:
Monarchy is still dominant in Oman with little or no power to publicly elected representatives.

The national assembly or Majlis consists of Majlis al-Dawla (upper chamber) and Majlis al-Shura (lower chamber). Majlis al-Dawla is the 58 member assembly appointed by the King as advisors. The lower chamber consists of 84 members elected by popular vote to serve four-year-term. The lower chamber may propose legislation but the final authority remains with the monarch.

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.

National Holidays:

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
26 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
9 Jul Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
23 Jul Renaissance Day (Marking the start of the reign of Sultan Qaboos).
11 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
17 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Nov National Day and birthday of HM Sultan Qaboos.
7 Dec Islamic New Year.

2011
15 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
28 Jun Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
23 Jul *Renaissance Day (Marking the start of the reign of Sultan Qaboos).
31 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
6 Nov - 7 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Nov National Day and birthday of HM Sultan Qaboos.
26 Nov Islamic New Year.
26 Nov Islamic New Year.

Population and Breakdown:
July 2007 estimate: 3,204,897
note: includes 577,293 non-nationals

0-14 years: 42.7% (male 698,461/female 670,793)
15-64 years: 54.6% (male 1,026,686/female 723,712)
65 years and over: 2.7% (male 47,534/female 37,711)

Median age: 18.9 years (male: 21.5 years/ female: 16.5 years)
Life expectancy: 73.62 years (male: 71.37 years/female: 75.99 years)

Religion: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu) 25%

Language: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects

Local Customs:
Oman is an Islamic country; all Islamic traditions should be respected.
When entering the place of worship, take permission.
Remove your footwear when entering place of worship or host's house.
Omani people are mostly of Arab descent who are warm hearted and good host. Never refuse refreshment when offered.

Best Time to go: Best time to visit is in between November to March when weather remains subsidized.

Currency:

1 US Dollar = 0.38490 Omani Rial
1 Omani Rial (OMR) = 2.59808 US Dollar (USD)

1 British Pound = 0.78815 Omani Rial
1 Omani Rial (OMR) = 1.26879 British Pound (GBP)

1 Euro = 0.54932 Omani Rial
1 Omani Rial (OMR) = 1.82043 Euro (EUR)

Customs Regulations:
No alcohol. No limit on tobacco products.

Tipping:
Tipping is not expected in Oman. A little extra of 5% to the service charge can bring smile. Service Charge of 10-15% is added in hotel/restaurant bills.