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Oman
Sultanate of Oman
Arabic:
sultanatu cumāan
INTRODUCTION
1. Political situation
2. Economy
3. Health & Education
4. Religions & Peoples
5. History
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| Musqat |
550,000 |
| Salalah |
170,000 |
| Suhar |
110,000 |
| Ibri |
100,000 |
| Rustaq |
75,000 |
| Nizwa |
70,000 |
| Sur |
70,000 |
| Buraymi |
70,000 |
All figures are 2005 estimates.
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STATUS
| Independent monarchy (sultanate), divided into 6 regions (mintaqa(t)).
Day of independence: Independent since ca. 1650. National holiday is the birthday of the sultan, November 18, 1940.
| GOVERNMENT
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Head of state: Qaboos ibn Said. In addition, the sultan is also Prime minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Finance.
Government: The Council of Ministers is made up of a Deputy Prime minister, a Special Adviser to the sultan, 24 ministers, 2 governors and 3 Secretary-Generals.
National Assemblies: The Consultative Council is made up of 82 members, who are chosen by the sultan from nominees selected at national polls. The Council of State is made up of 41 members, all appointed by the sultan. The authorities of the two councils are somewhat overlapping.
| GEOGRAPHY
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Inhabitants: 2.7 million (2005 estimate).
Census December 1 1993: 2.0 million.
About 30% of the population are non-Omanis.
Population growth rate: 3.4%
Total area: 212,460 km²
Density: 13 per km²
Border: 1,374 km (Saudi Arabia 676 km, Yemen 288 km, UAE 410 km).
Coastline: 2,092 km.
Highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m
Arable land: 0.1%
Capital: Musqat
| HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX
| World rank (of 177): 56
Index (1.0 max): 0.810
Explanation
| DEMOGRAPHY
| Ethnic groups: Arabs, Baluchis, Indians, Pakistani, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshi and smaller groups of Africans.
Languages: Arabic (official), Kumzari, English, Baluchi, Urdu and Indian languages.
Religions: Ibadi Islam (Khariji), Sunni Islam, Shi'i Islam and Hinduism.
| CURRENCY
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Currency: Rials
1 Rial=US$2.60. US$1=0.381 (June 2003)
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CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY
Oman is divided into 3 geographical parts — the main region with a coastline along the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea; the tiny enclave of Madha inside the main land of United Arab Emirates; and the enclave of Ras Musandam, which is separated from main Oman by territories of United Arab Emirates, and lies next to the Strait of Hormuz.
Main Oman has three physical regions: The narrow coastal plain (al-Batina), mountains and hills (al-Jabalu l-Akhdar, the green mountain), and the plateau of the inland. Al-Batina is barren, even if there is some agriculture in Dhofar (south-west). The mountains in the north reach as high as 3,019 metres (Jabalu sh-Shaam). The interior plateau is arable only in oases.
The climate of Oman is hot and arid. Daily average temperatures vary between 21°C and 35°C, while annual rainfall is only 100 mm.
© Copyright 1996-2008 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
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