Introduction

Background: |  |

`
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. Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa in 2010-11, Omanis began staging marches and demonstrations - a small number of which turned violent in clashes with government security forces - to demand economic benefits, an end to corruption, and greater political rights. In February and March 2011, in response to protester demands, QABOOS reshuffled his cabinet, pledged to create more government jobs, and promised to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting legislative and regulatory powers to the Council of Oman.
`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`21 00 N, 57 00 E`
Map references: |  |
`Middle East`
Area: |  |
`total: 309,500 sq km country comparison to the world: 70 land: 309,500 sq km water: 0 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`slightly smaller than Kansas`
Land boundaries: |  |
`total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km`
Coastline: |  |
`2,092 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm`
Climate: |  |
`dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south`
Terrain: |  |
`central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m`
Natural resources: |  |
`petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 0.12% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 99.74% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`720 sq km (2003)`
Total renewable water resources: |  |
`1 cu km (1997)`
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic / industrial / agricultural): |  |
`total: 1.36 cu km/yr (7%/2%/90%) per capita: 529 cu m/yr (2000)`
Natural hazards: |  |
`summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts`
Environment - current issues: |  |
`rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; limited natural freshwater resources`
Environment - international agreements: |  |
`party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements`
Geography - note: |  |
`strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil`

People

Population: |  |
`3,027,959 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 31.2% (male 484,292/female 460,066) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 1,133,329/female 856,701) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 47,786/female 45,785) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 24.1 years male: 25.5 years female: 22.4 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`2.023% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 48`
Birth rate: |  |
`24.15 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 67`
Death rate: |  |
`3.45 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 212`
Net migration rate: |  |
`-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 137`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 73% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`MUSCAT (capital) 634,000 (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.34 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female total population: 1.23 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 15.47 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 116 male: 15.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 74.22 years country comparison to the world: 104 male: 72.38 years female: 76.16 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`2.87 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 70`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`1,100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144`
Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 92% of population rural: 77% of population total: 88% of population unimproved: urban: 8% of population rural: 23% of population total: 12% of population (2008)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 97% of population rural: 61% of population total: 87% of population unimproved: urban: 3% of population rural: 39% of population total: 13% of population (2000)`
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`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.4% male: 86.8% female: 73.5% (2003 census)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2009)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`3.9% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 109`

Government

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: |  |
`mixed legal system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law`
International law organization participation: |  |
`has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt`
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 theWorld 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, 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; white represents peace and prosperity, red recalls battles against foreign invaders, and green symbolizes the Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility
`

National anthem: |  |

`
name: "Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem)
lyrics/music: Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS, arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS
note: adopted 1932; new words were written after QABOOS bin Said al Said gained power in 1970; the anthem was first performed by the band of a British ship as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit to Muscat; the bandmaster of the HMS Hawkins was asked to write a salutation to the Sultan on the occasion of his visiting the ship
`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Oman is a middle-income economy that is heavily dependent on dwindling oil resources. Because of declining reserves, Muscat has actively pursued a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP to 9% by 2020. Tourism and gas-based industries are key components of the government's diversification strategy. By using enhanced oil recovery techniques, Oman succeeded in increasing oil production, giving the country more time to diversify, and the increase in global oil prices throughout 2010 provides the government greater financial resources to invest in non-oil sectors.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$75.84 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $72.77 billion (2009 est.) $71.98 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$55.62 billion (2010 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`4.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 1.1% (2009 est.) 12.9% (2008 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$25,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $25,000 (2009 est.) $25,200 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 1.4% industry: 48.2% services: 50.3% (2010 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`968,800 country comparison to the world: 142 note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national (2007)`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`15% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 151`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`NA%`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%`
Investment (gross fixed): |  |
`26.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $20.5 billion expenditures: $20.1 billion (2010 est.)`
Public debt: |  |
`4.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 5.5% of GDP (2009 est.)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 3.5% (2009 est.)`
Central bank discount rate: |  |
`0.05% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 135 0.91% (31 December 2008)`
Commercial bank prime lending rate: |  |
`7.44% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 7.1% (31 December 2008 est.)`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$7.257 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $6.15 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$22.35 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $20.52 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$22.05 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $19.34 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Market value of publicly traded shares: |  |
`$17.3 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 64 $14.91 billion (31 December 2008) $23.06 billion (31 December 2007)`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish`
Industries: |  |
`crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`4.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76`
Electricity - production: |  |
`13.58 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`11.36 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`816,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`84,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83`
Oil - exports: |  |
`593,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25`
Oil - imports: |  |
`17,290 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 117`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`5.5 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`24 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`13.46 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`10.89 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`350 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27`
Current account balance: |  |
`$2.724 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $-2.143 billion (2009 est.)`
Exports: |  |
`$36.12 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $27.65 billion (2009 est.)`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles`
Exports - partners: |  |
`China 26.98%, South Korea 17.19%, Japan 12.12%, UAE 11.23%, Thailand 7.64% (2009)`
Imports: |  |
`$19.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $16.13 billion (2009 est.)`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants`
Imports - partners: |  |
`UAE 22.9%, Japan 13.99%, US 6.46%, China 5.64%, India 5.27%, France 5.19%, South Korea 4.65% (2009)`
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: |  |
`$14 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $12.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Debt - external: |  |
`$8.829 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $7.061 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: |  |
`$NA`
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: |  |
`$NA`
Exchange rates: |  |
`Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.3845 (2010) 0.3845 (2009) 0.3845 (2008) 0.3845 (2007) 0.3845 (2006)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`300,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 115`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`3.971 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 105`
Telephone system: |  |

`
general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable; domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations
domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership both increasing with fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced to remote villages using wireless local loop systems
international: country code - 968; the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2008)
`

Broadcast media: |  |
`1 state-run TV broadcaster; TV stations transmitting from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Yemen are accessible via satellite TV; state-run radio operates multiple stations; first private radio station began operation in 2007 and 2 additional stations now operating (2007)`
Internet country code: |  |
`.om`
Internet hosts: |  |
`9,114 (2010) country comparison to the world: 126`
Internet users: |  |
`1.465 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 83`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`130 (2010) country comparison to the world: 45`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 11 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 119 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 51 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 26 (2010)`
Heliports: |  |
`3 (2010)`
Pipelines: |  |
`condensate 107 km; gas 4,209 km; oil 3,558 km; refined products 263 km (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 53,430 km country comparison to the world: 78 paved: 23,223 km (includes 1,384 km of expressways) unpaved: 30,207 km (2008)`
Merchant marine: |  |
`total: 4 country comparison to the world: 134 by type: chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2 registered in other countries: 9 (Panama 8, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)`
Ports and terminals: |  |
`Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat) (2010)`
Military service age and obligation: |  |
`18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)`
Manpower available for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 985,957 females age 16-49: 737,812 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 837,886 females age 16-49: 642,427 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 31,959 female: 30,264 (2010 est.)`
Military expenditures: |  |
`11.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 1`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah exclave, but details of the alignment have not been made public`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011