History

Geography

The origin of the name "Oman" is unknown. The history of Oman is presented in large periods.
As of the 4th Millennium BC: The excavations of the site of Ras al-Hamra in the North-West of Muscat gave evidence of a human settlement by the artefacts found there, but no pottery was discovered.
In the 3rd Millennium BC: several sites were inventoried: Bat, Ras al-Hadd and Samad al-Shan showing tombs of circular shape built in stone blocks. The artefacts made it possible to date these settlements towards 1800 BC.
In the 2nd Millennium BC: the archaeological sites of Mikhailif and al-Waset on the Batinah coast excavated significant artefacts. The site of Sohar shows the power of the Hormuz princes who built fortifications to ensure the trade with India and China. It was the time of the Magan empire on the Batinah coast.
In the 1st Millennium BC: the excavations of the Dhofar area highlighted its importance in the trade of the frankincense westwards by the "Frankincense route" as well as eastwards to reach the country of Sumer. In 563 BC, the northern part of the territory was incorporated into the Achaemenid empire.
In the first centuries of our era: the collapse of the Sheba kingdom involved migrations of population, in particular, eastwards by the Hadhramawt and Dhofar coast. Moreover the decline of the trade of frankincense helped the extension of Islam in the 7th century AD.
In 1506, the Portuguese, very active in the South Seas, occupied Oman for more than one century.
In 1650, Sultan bin Saif Imam expelled the Portuguese. This victory was the beginning of a large economic and territorial expansion. In 1744, the coming to power of Sultan Ahmad bin Said founded the dynasty of Al Bu Said. At the end of the 18th century the Omanis controlled a vast empire. At the beginning of the 19th century, the empire controlled Mombassa and Zanzibar. Trading posts were set up on the southern coast of Africa.
In 1913, when Sultan Faisal bin Turki died, some tribes did not recognize the future Sultan and the country was divided.
In 1938, the new sultan, Said bin Taimur, acceded to power and reunified the country. He turned Oman into a medieval anachronism.
In 1970, his son, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, took power after a bloodless palace coup. The country entered modern times.

Oman is of complex shape, almost a quadrilateral. Its surface is equal to 57% that of France.
It is bordered in the west by Saudi Arabia, in the north-west, by the United Arab Emirates, in the north-east by the Gulf of Oman, in the east by the Sea of Oman, in the south-west by Yemen. The border of desert al-Rub' al-Khali with Saudi Arabia is vague, as for Yemen. The discovery of oil could lead the two countries to fix it.
Two thirds of Oman are uninhabited.

Sutuated in the south-eastern horn from the Arabian peninsula to the strait of Hormuz, the geography of Oman is presented in three large sets of areas:

Muscat the capital has a very hot and humid climate from March to October, and mild from October at March. The southernmost Salalah gets the monsoon from June to September and has a temperature approaching 30°C in December.

The frankincense of Dhofar was transported either by sea from the harbour of Salalah to Mukala, or by caravan road as far as Shabaw to be controlled before being dispatched to Gaza.
Oman has one of the most rigorous governments for environmental policy. The Sultan personally supervises the safeguard of the flora. The National Protected Areas has establishments on the coast as well as in the interior of the country. The protection of fauna is as strict. Reserves were created to preserve some endanger species, the rare Arabian Oryx, giant sea turtles, Arabian wolf and leopard and many others in the process of extinction.
Oman is really an idyllic country.

Economic facts

Civilisation

Oman's economy is developed enough. Since the accession to the throne of Sultan Qabus, the economy has been strongly modernized. Pakistani Immigration is important.

The Omani currency is the riyal

The official name is Sultanate of Oman whose capital is Muscat. The population is +2,5 million inhabitants. The official language of Oman is Arab as well as English, Baluch, Farsi and Urdu. The population is 90% Arab, the rest is Asian and Baluch.

The GNP is U$7,900 per capita.

Oman is of remarkably clean due to the government policy, which is as rigorous for public behaviour. Having not visited the other countries of the Gulf, I do not hesitate to say Oman is Switzerland of the Arabian horn. The billboards praising the Muscat capital show it.
I noticed, once more, that Muslim countries do not have the culture of sea sports. The beautiful sand beaches of the southernmost coast are unfortunately or fortunately deserted.

Traveller's information

Sights

All tourists need visas to enter Oman, available at the consulates through agencies.

The budget of the traveller depends on his choices, Oman offers little opportunities for small budgets.