Oman

Note: This column mainly includes countries along the Belt and Road and countries that have signed cooperation agreements with China on Belt and Road Initiative.

Official Name:　 The Sultanate of Oman

Capital city: 　　 Muscat

Area: 309,500sq km

Population (2014):　　4,000,345 (incl 2,234,949 Omanis and 1,767,396 expats)

Official Language:　　 Arabic

Official Religion:　　　　Islam

Government:　　Monarchy

Head of State & Govt.:　　 H.M. Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al-Said

National Day:　　Birthday of H.M. Sultan Qaboos, 18 November

Local Time:　　　　GMT+4.

Location

The Sultanate of Oman occupies thesouth-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. The total area is approximately309,500 km2 and it is the third largest country in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Sultanate borders the Kingdom of SaudiArabia in the west, the United Arab Emirates in the northeast, the Republic ofYemen in the southwest, the Strait of Hormuz in the north and the Arabian Seain the east. The Musandam Peninsula forms the country’s northern tip. It is theonly coast the Sultanate has on the Arabian Gulf and is just over 50 km southof the Islamic Republic of Iran across the Strait of Hormuz.

Culture and Heritage

The Sultanate enjoys an unspoiled cultureand traditional lifestyle in almost every aspect. Even in its modernity, Omanis distinctly Arab and offers the visitor a glimpse of many unique old-worldwonders. The Omani culture has its roots firmly in the Islamic religion. Omandeveloped its own particular form of Islam, called Ibadhism, after its founder,Abdullah bin Ibadh who lived during the 7th century. Not all Omanis are Ibadhishowever; there are also Sunni and Shi’a Muslims. Omanis are not only tolerantof the beliefs of different Muslim sects, they are also tolerant towardsbelievers of other faiths, who are allowed to practice their religion inchurches and temples.

The legacy that has been passed fromgeneration to generation, the art, the culture, the folklore and thecraftsmanship have to be seen. But there is much more in the heart of Oman toexplore: the sense of respect for time, for people, and for nature. Oman’s richheritage has been kept alive and unchanged for generations. It may help youunderstand tomorrow a little better.

For its size, Oman boasts an unprecedentednumber of UNESCO-classified World Heritage Sites including Bat—with its tombsdating back 3,000 years, the Fort of Bahla, and the fascinating FrankincenseRoute which starts in Dhofar and includes Al-Blaid, site of the ancient city ofZafar, Khawr Rawri, Shisr and Wadi Dukah.

Oman’s heritage features a great sea-faringtradition, as one would expect from a country with 2000 km of coastline. Manymuseums and galleries around the secluded and historic harbours of Muscat,Muttrah and Sur illuminate the importance of the sea.

Economy

Major Exports: Oil and Gas, re exports, animals and animal products, metalsand chemical products, rubber and plastic products, textiles

Principal export destinations: China, UAE, South Korea, Taiwan

Major Imports: Automobiles and machinery, food, livestock, manfacturedgoods

Oman's principal import sources: UAE, Japan, China, India

Source: oman.org.au