Known of its tradition hospitality that welcomes you the time you step on its beautiful and exotic land, you will be always met by a smile and welcomed that makes you feel home.
Oman’s topography attracts a big number of tourists; the Sultanate has a diversity of topographical features consisting of:
The costal plain: the most important area representing about 3% of the total land area
The mountains: covers approximately 15% and the main mountain range is the 10,000 foot Al Hajar which runs from Musandam in the North to the extreme limit of the Arabian Peninsula, Ras Al Had.
Sands & Deserts: occupies the remaining area and includes two large sand deserts the Wahiba Sands known as (Rimalat Al Wahibah) and part of the Empty Quarter (Rub Al Khali)
Oman is known of its tropical climate but its still subject to seasonal changes. The climate differs from one area to another. In summer its hot and dry and the hottest months are June to August.
In the costal areas summer is hot and humid while the Interior it’s hot and dry. The higher mountains such as Al Jabal Al Akhdhar (Green Mountains) and Jabal Shams (Sun Mountain) enjoy a moderate climate throughout the year.
Winter falls between December and March with an average temperature of 22ºC with light rainfalls though heavy rains are expected. The monsoons bring beam rain to the southern coast of Oman.
Capital
Muscat
Government
Monarchy with a provisional legislature (the Majlis Ash Shura)
Head of State
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said
Major industries
Oil, natural gas, agriculture, and fishing
Ruling body
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said is Head of State and rules by decree. He is assisted by a cabinet of ministers, Diwan of the Royal Court (the central body of bureaucratic affairs), and the Majlis Ash Shura, a body of representatives elected by the populace.
Population
Approximately 2 million. Around 1.5 million are Omani nationals. The remaining are expatriates from India, Asia, other Arab countries, Europe and USA.
Area
The Sultanate encompasses an area of 300,000 sq kms.
Airport
Seeb international airport, 40 km from Muscat city centre.
Seeb International Airport, located in Muscat, serves many international airlines such as British Airways, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Swiss Air and Emirates. The national carrier is Oman Air, which flies to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, and Sri Lanka as well as performing domestic flights to Salalah, Masirah Island and Musandam.
Climate
The country's climate is predominantly arid and varies slightly from one region to another. In the coastal areas, the weather is hot and humid during the summer months, while it is dry elsewhere in the interior. Milder weather dominates the mountains and Dhofar region all the year round. Winter temperatures can be as low as 15°Celsius and summer temperatures can be as high as 48° Celsius in Muscat and as high as 54° in the desert.
Best Time to visit
The best time of the year to visit Oman is between October and April, when the weather is pleasantly warm in the day and cool in the evening. Temperature averages at 25-35 degrees centigrade during the day and dips to 17-19 degrees centigrade at night.
Religion
Islam, predominantly Ibadhi sect.
Language
Official language is Arabic. Other languages spoken include Urdu, Swahili and Baluchi. English is widely spoken and along with Arabic is the common business language. Most Hotel staff speak German and French as well.
Culture
Like all the Arab countries, Arab Islamic Culture dominates the life style in the Sultanate. However, being an international market, people of various other nationalities are also present.
National Dress:
Men - dishdasha (robe),Kimah (cap),mussar (turban)
Women - jallabia (dress), sirwall (trousers), thobe (overdress cloak, lahaf (head shawl), abaya (black cloak). Women generally leave their face and hands exposed, while in the desert, women of the Bedouin tribes wear a mask, called a "birqa."
Working Hours
Ministries and government establishments - 7:30 am to 2:30 pm (Sat-Wed, week-end is Thursday and Friday)
Private sector companies - 8:00am to 1:00pm; 4:00pm to 7:00pm (Saturday-Wednesday)
8:00am to 1:00pm on Thursdays.
Markets
8:00am to 1:00pm, 4:00pm to 9:00pm.
Banks
8:00 am to 12 noon.
Timings differ during Ramadân
Ramadân, the holy month of fasting, is the ninth month on the Arabic calendar which is a lunar calendar. Every year Ramadân shifts back about ten days on the western solar calendar. In the year 2001 Ramadân will begin in the third week of November. Restaurants and other eateries are closed during daylight hours during the Holy Ramadân period.
Shopping hours
Shopping establishments are open from 9am to 1 pm and 4pm to 9 pm. Department stores, supermarkets and shopping complexes are open throughout the day during Ramadân from 9am to 10 pm, with a short lunch break all through the week, except Fridays. These timings could vary with different shops. |
