OMAN is a country situated in Southwest Asia

8/7/2019 OMAN is a country situated in Southwest Asia

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Oman

Oman (pronounced /omn/oh-MAHN; Arabic: Umn), officially theSultanate of Oman (Arabic: SalanatUmn), is an Arabcountry insouthwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the UnitedArab Emirates on the northwest, Saudi Arabia on the west and Yemen on thesouthwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the southeast and the Gulf ofOman on the northeast. The Madha and Musandam enclaves are surrounded by theUAE on their land borders, with the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman formingMussandams coastal boundaries.

In November 2010, The United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) listedOman as the most-improved nation in last 40 years from among 135 countriesworldwide. Oman is located between the latitudes of 23 to 37 north and 58 to 36east.

GEOGRAPHY

Coast of Sur Oman

A vast gravel desert plain covers most of central Oman, with mountain ranges alongthe north (Al Hajar Mountains) and southeast coast, where the country's main cities

Sultanate of Oman

Salanat Umn

Flag National Emblem


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are al l ated:t e capital cit M cat Soharand Surin the north, and Salalahin thesouth. The peninsula ofMusandam (Musandem) exclave, which has a strategiclocation on the Strait of Hormuz, is separated from the rest of Oman by the UnitedArab Emirates.

Oman's other exclave, inside UAE territory, known as Madha, located halfwaybetween the Musandam Peninsula and the main body of Oman. Within the Madhaexclave is a UAE enclave called Nahwa, belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah.

Climate

Annualrainfallin Muscat averages 100 mm (3.9 in), falling mostly in January. Dhofaris subjectto the southwestmonsoon, and rainfall up to 640 mm (25.2 in) has beenrecorded in the rainy season from late June to October.[cit

ti

] While themountain areas receive more plentiful rainfall, some parts ofthe coast, particularly

nearthe island ofMasirah, sometimes receive no rain at all within the course of ayear. The climate generally is very hot, with temperatures reaching 54 C (129.2 F)in the hot season, from May to September.

[hide]Cli t d t for

n

Month J n F b M r Apr M y Jun Jul Aug p

ct Nov D c Y r

Av

r

g

high F

(C)

81

(27)

79

(26)

84

(29)

93

(34)

102

(39)

104

(40)

100

(38)

97

(36)

97

(36)

95

(35)

86

(30)

81

(27)

91.6

(33.1)

Av r g lowF

(C)

63

(17)

63

(17)

70

(21)

75

(24)

84

(29)

88

(31)

86

(30)

82

(28)

81

(27)

75

(24)

70

(21)

64

(18)

75.1

(23.9)

Pr cipit tion

inch

s(

)

0.5

(12.7)

1

(25.4)

0.598

(15.2)

0.701

(17.8)

0.299

(7.6)

0

(0)

0

(0)

0

(0)

0

(0)

0

(0)

0.299

(7.6)

0.5

(12.7)

3.898

(99)

CULTURE

LANGUAGE


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Although Arabic is Oman's official language, there are native speakers of differentdialects, as well as Balochi (the language of the Baloch from western-Pakistan,eastern Iran), and southern Afghanistan or offshoots ofSouthern Arabian, and somedescendants ofSindhi sailors. Also spoken in Oman are Semitic languages onlydistantly related to Arabic. The dominant indigenous language is a dialect of Arabicand the country has also adoptedEnglish as a second language. Almost all signs and

writings appear in both Arabic and English. A significant number also speak Urdu,due to the influx ofIndian migrants during the late 1980s and the 1990s.

Khanjar knife, traditional dagger of Oman, circa 1924

Oman is famous for its khanjarknives, which are curved daggers worn duringholidays as part of ceremonial dress, during the Medieval Era theKhanjarbecamehighly popular it symbolized Muslim Sailors.

CLOTHING

Today traditional clothing is worn by most Omani men. They wear an ankle-length, collarless

robe called a dishdasha that buttons at the neck with a tassel hanging down. Traditionally

this tassel would be dipped in perfume. Today the tassel is merely a traditional part of the

omen cover their faces and hands, but. Some wabayasandhijabsWomen weardishdasha.

The abaya is a traditional dress and currently comes in different]citation needed[most do not.

styles. The Sultan has forbidden the covering of faces in public office. On holidays, such as

, the women wear traditional dress, which is often very brightly colored and consists of aEid

mid-calf length tunic over pants. Omani Dishdasha


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Food

The main daily mealis usually eaten at midday, while the evening mealis lighter.Maqbousis a rice dish, tinged yellow with saffron and cooked over spicy red orwhite meat. Arsiais a festival meal, served during celebrations, which consists ofmashed rice flavoured with spices. Another popular festival mealis shuwa, which ismeat cooked very slowly (sometimes for up to two days) in an underground clay

oven. The meat becomes extremely tender and itis infused with spices and herbsbefore cooking to give it a very distincttaste. Fish is often used in main dishes too,and the kingfish is a popularingredient. Omanic isineis als dis

inc

from theindigenous

foods of other Arab states of the Persian Gulf andeven varies within theSultanate's

different regions.[citation n

d

d]

There are also significant differencesin cuisine between

different regions of Oman.

Sport


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Main article: Sport in Oman

SportsofOman

Popular

Sport

Football,

volleyball,

bas

etball and

hoc ey.

National

Team

Sports

5

National

Clubs

48

Colors Red, White,

Green

The government aims to give young people a fully rounded education by providingactivities and experience in the sporting, cultural, intellectual, social and scientificspheres, and to excelinternationally in these areas and forthis reason, in October2004, the government created a Ministry of Sports Affairs to replace the GeneralOrganisation for Youth, Sports and Cultural Affairs.

The 2009 Gulf Cup of Nations, the 19th edition, took place in Muscat, Oman, from 4

January to 17 January 2009 and was won by Oman.

The International Olympic Committee awarded the former GOYSCA its prestigiousprize for sporting excellence in recognition ofits contributions to youth and sportsand its efforts to promote the Olympic spirit and goals.

Religion

Around 75% ofthe population consists ofIbadhi, a form of Islam distinct from theSunni and Shia denominations, 17% constitute SunniMuslims, with ImamiShiaMuslims and the Zikri forming the remaining 8% ofthe indiginous population,[17]originating from Bahrain, Iran and the Ahsa province ofSaudi Arabia, integratingwell with the community, concentrated in the capital area and along the northerncoast.

The Oman government does not keep statistics on religious affiliation, but mostcitizens are Muslims.


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Economy

Omani citizens enjoy good living standards, but the future is uncertain with Oman'slimited oil reserves.[17] Other sources of income, agriculture and industry, are small incomparison and count for less than 1% of the country's exports, but diversification isseen as a priority in the government of Oman. Agriculture, oftensubsistence in itscharacter, produces dates, limes, grains and vegetables.

Since the slump in oil prices in 1998, Oman has made active plans to diversify itseconomy and is placing a greater emphasis on other areas of industry, such astourism.

Foreign Relations

A special treaty relationship permitted the United Kingdom close involvement inOman's civil and military affairs. Ties with the United Kingdom have remained veryclose under Sultan Qaboos.

Since 1970, Oman has pursued a moderate foreign policy and expanded its diplomaticrelations dramatically. It supported the 1979 Camp David accords and was one ofthree Arab League states, along with Somalia and Sudan, which did not break


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relations with Egypt after the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty in 1979.During the Persian Gulf crisis, Oman assisted the United Nations coalition effort.Oman has developed close ties to its neighbors; it joined the six-member GulfCooperation Council when it was established in 1980.

In recent years, Oman has undertaken diplomaticinitiativesin theCentral Asian republics,

particularlyin Kazakhstan, whereit isinvolvedin a joint oil pipelineproject.In addition,

Oman maintainsgood relations withIran, its northern neighbor, and the two countries

regularlyexchangedelegations. Oman is an active member in international and regional

organizations, notably the Arab League and theGCC.

There are few trade unionsin Oman, established following a 2006 Decree by theSultan of

Omanpermitting their organization.Some of these, havedonecompletedelections, they

are members of the General Foundation of Oman Trade Union (GFOTU).[1]

Oman has

become thesecond Gulf Arab state, after Bahrain, to have a general federation of tradeunions.

The U.S.-OmanFree Trade Agreementis a tradepact between Oman and the United

States. On November 15, 2004, theGeorge W. Bush administration notified theU.S.

Congress ofitsintent to sign a trade agreement with theMiddle EasternSultanate ofOman.

Oman has a militaryhistory whichdates back to the7thcentury.

The Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces (SAF) are the Royal Army of Oman, Royal

Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman and other defence forces ofthe Sultanate ofOman. Since their formal establishmentin the early 1950s, with British assistancethey have twice overcome insurgencies which have threatened the integrity or socialstructure ofthe state, and more recently have contributed contingents or facilities tocoalitions formed to protectthe Persian Gulf states.

National Anthem of Oman

Arabic Lyrics

Ya Rabbana Ehfid Lana Jalalat Al Sultan

Waashabi Fee Al'wtan

Bialeizy Walaman.

Walyadum Muoayadda,

Aahilan Momajjada;


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Bilnufoosi Yuftda.

Walyadum Muoayadda,

Aahilan Momajjada;

Bilnufoosi Yuftda.

Ya Oman, Nahnoo Min Ahd Il Nabi

Awfiya Min K'ram Al Arabi.

Abshiry Qaboos Jaa

Faltubarakhu 'I Sama.

Waasidy Waltoq'hi Bilduoaa.

English Translation

The Sultan's Anthem

O Lord, protect for us our Majesty the Sultan

And the people in our land,

With honour and peace.

May he live long, strong and supported,

Glorified be his leadership.

For him we shall lay down our lives.

May he live long, strong and supported,


For him we shall lay down our lives.

O Oman, since the time of the Prophet

We are a dedicated people amongst the noblest Arabs.

Be happy! Qaboos has come

With the blessing of Heaven.

Be cheerful and commend him to the protection of our prayers.

Ruler of Oman

Qaboos binSaid AlSaid (Arabic: ;Qbs ibn Sad l Sad;

born 18 November 1940 in Salalah[1]

) is the Sultan ofOman, the first since thecountry gained independence. He rose to power after overthrowing his father, Saidibn Taymur, in a palace coupin 1970. He is the 14th descendant ofthe AlBu Sa'ididynasty.


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Reign as Sultan

Sultan Qaboos meets with United States Vice President Dick Cheney during his visit to the

Middle East in 2002.

The political system which Qaboos established is that of an absolute monarchy.

Unlike the situation in neighboring Saudi Arabia, Qaboos' decisions are not subject tomodification by other members of Oman's sultanic family.

More recently, Qaboos has allowed parliamentary elections (in which women havevoted and stood as candidates) and pledged greater openness and participationingovernment. As yet, however, this parliament lacks substantial political power.

Qaboos' supporters point to his relative success in governing the country.Since heacceded to the throne, Oman has broadened international relations, allowednewspapers, established high schools, built highways, opened hotels andshoppingmalls and spends a substantial portion of its dwindling oil revenues on health care andeducation.

In October 1998, Qaboos bin Said was presented with the International Peace Awardby the National Council on US-Arab Relations.[13] He also forges and maintains goodrelations with other Arab states and partners in the GulfCooperation Council (GCC].

Cont

The National Day of Oman is celebrated on 18 th November. Oman has no Nationalbird and flower . The National animal of Oman is the Arabian Oryx and the NationalDress is the Dishdasha.

Politics

The Constitution of Oman was adopted on 6 November 1996 by Qaboos Bin Said ,Sultan of Oman.

Chief of state and government is the hereditary sultn, Qaboos bin Said Al Said, whoappoints a cabinet called the "Diwans" to assist him. There are no legal politicalparties nor, at present, any active opposition movement. As more and more youngOmanis return from education abroad, it seems likely that the traditional, tribal-basedpolitical system will have to be adjusted.[11] A State Consultative Council, established


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in 1981, consisted of 55 appointed representatives of government, the private sector,and regionalinterests.

Capital Of Oman , Muscat

Muscat (Arabic: , Masqa) is the capital and largest city ofOman. Itis also theseat of government and largest city in the Governorate ofMuscat. Muscat was ruledby various indigenous tribes as well as foreign powers such as the Persians and thePortuguese Empire at various points in its history. Since the ascension ofQaboos binSaid as Sultan of Oman in 1970, Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructural

developmentthat has led to the growth of a vibrant economy and a multi-ethnicsociety. The rocky Western Al HajarMountains dominate the landscape ofMuscat.The city lies on the Arabian Sea along the Gulf of Oman and is in the proximity ofthestrategic Straits of Hormuz.

Important Cities in Oman

y Adamy AsSiby Al Buraimiy Al Hamray Al Jazery AL Suwaiqy Bahlay Barkay Bidbidy Bidiyay Dibba Al-Bayay Duqm


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y Haimay Mahoothy Mudhaybiy Mudhaireby Saiq

These aresome of theimportant cities of Oman.

NATIONAL ANTHEM OF OMAN

Arabic Lyrics

Ya Rabbana Ehfid Lana Jalalat AlSultan

Waashabi Fee Al'wtan

Bialeizy Walaman.

Walyadum Muoayadda,

AahilanMomajjada;

Bilnufoosi Yuftda.

Walyadum Muoayadda,

AahilanMomajjada;

Bilnufoosi Yuftda.


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Ya Oman, Nahnoo Min Ahd Il Nabi

AwfiyaMin K'ram Al Arabi.

Abshiry Qaboos Jaa

Faltubarakhu 'I Sama.

Waasidy Waltoq'hi Bilduoaa.

English Translation

The Sultan's Anthem

O Lord,protect for us our Majesty the Sultan

And the people in our land,

With honour and peace.

May he live long, strongand supported,


For him we shalllay down our lives.

May he live long, strongand supported,


For him we shalllay down our lives.

O Oman, since the time of the Prophet

We are a dedicated people amongst the noblest Arabs.

Be happy! Qaboos has come

With the blessing of Heaven.

Be cheerfuland commend him to the protection of our prayers.

OMAN is a country situated in Southwest Asia

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