The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of his father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.
Population
2,967,717
Country comparison to the world:136
Nationality
Noun:Omani(s)
Adjective:Omani
Ethnic groups
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Religions
Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu) 25%
Languages
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Country Name
Conventional long form:Sultanate of Oman
Conventional short form:Oman
Local long form:Saltanat Uman
Local short form:Uman
Former:Muscat and Oman
Government Type
monarchy
Capital
Name:Muscat
Geographic coordinates:23 37 N, 58 35 E
Time difference:UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
5 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 4 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Buraymi*, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat (Muscat)*, Musandam*, Zufar (Dhofar)*
Independence
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National Holiday
Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
Constitution
none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be a constitution which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens
Legal system
based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage
21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces are not allowed to vote
Executive branch
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
Head of government:Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972)
Cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the monarch
(For more information visit the World Leaders website)
Elections:the monarchy is hereditary
Legislative branch
bicameral Majlis Oman consists of Majlis al-Dawla or upper chamber (71 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has only advisory powers and Majlis al-Shura or lower chamber (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; body has only advisory powers)
Elections:last held on 27 October 2007 (next to be held in 2011)
Election results:new candidates won 46 seats and 38 members of the outgoing Majlis kept their positions; none of the 20 female candidates was elected
Judicial branch
Supreme Court
note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has judges who practice secular and sharia law
Political Parties and Leaders
none
Political pressure groups and leaders
none
International organization participation
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission:Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI
Chancery:2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone:[1] (202) 387-1980
FAX:[1] (202) 745-4933
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission:Ambassador Richard J. SCHMIERER
Embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat
Mailing address:P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Muscat
Telephone:[968] 24-643-400
FAX:[968] 24-699771
Flag description
three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band
