Geography
Area: About 212,460 sq. km. (about the size of Kansas). It is
bordered on the north by the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), on the
northwest by Saudi Arabia, and on the southwest by the Republic of
Yemen. The Omani coastline stretches 2,092 km.
Cities: Capital--Muscat. Other cities--Salalah Nizwa,
Sohar, Sur.
Terrain: Mountains, plains, and arid plateau.
Climate: Hot, humid along the coast; hot, dry in the interior;
summer monsoon in far south.
People
Nationality: Noun--Oman. Adjective--Omani.
Population (2003 census figures.): 2.33 million.
Annual growth rate ( 2003 est.): 1.9%.
Ethnic groups: Arab, Baluchi, East African (Zanzabari), South Asian
(Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi).
Religions: Ibadhi; Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu, Christian.
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Swahili, Hindi
and Indian dialects.
Education: Literacy--approx. 80% (total population).
Health (2003): Infant mortality rate--20.26/1,000. Life
expectancy--72.85.
Work force (920,000): Agriculture and fishing--50%.
Government
Type: Monarchy.
Constitution: On November 6, 1996, Sultan Qaboos issued a royal
decree promulgating the Basic Statute which clarifies the royal
succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from
holding interests in companies doing business with the government,
establishes a bicameral parliament, and guarantees basic civil
liberties for Omani citizens.
Branches: Executive--Sultan. Legislative--Majlis Oman
(bicameral: State Council and Consultative Council). Judicial--Magistrate
courts handle criminal cases; Shari'a (Islamic law) courts oversee
family law.
Political parties: None.
Suffrage: Universal adult.
Administrative subdivisions: Eight administrative regions--Muscat
Governorate, Al Batinah, Musandam Governorate, A'Dhahirah,
A'Dakhliya, A'Shariqiya, Al Wusta, Dhofar Governorate. There are 59
districts (wilayats).
Economy
GDP (2004): $21.58 billion (8.3 billion Omani rials).
Per capita GDP: $ 9,261.
Natural resources: Oil, natural gas, copper, marble, limestone,
gypsum, chromium.
Agriculture and fisheries: (2.1% of GDP).
Agriculture: Products--dates, limes, bananas, mangoes,
alfalfa, other fruits and vegetables. Fisheries--Kingfish,
tuna, other fish, shrimp, lobster, abalone.
Industry: Types--crude petroleum (not including gas liquids)
about 800,000 barrels per day; construction, petroleum refinery,
copper mines and smelter, cement and various light industries.
Trade (2002): Exports--$11.7 billion. Major markets--Japan
(22.1%), China (15.2%), Thailand (12.6%), South Korea (19.9%), U.A.E.
(9.4%). Imports--$5.7 billion: machinery, transportation
equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants. Major
suppliers--U.A.E. 27.6%, Japan 16.7%, U.K. 7.4%, U.S. 6.9%,
Germany 5%.
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