Oman

Country or Region Description

Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is a country in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the United Arab Emirates on the northwest, Saudi Arabia on the west and Yemen on the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the south and east and the Gulf of Oman on the northeast. The Country also contains Madha, an exclave enclosed by the United Arab Emirates, and Musandam, an exclave also separated by Emirate territory.

Country Facts

Official Name: Sultanate of Oman

Geography

Area: About 309,500 km² (approximately the size of the State of New Mexico). 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 3,165 km.

Cities: Capital – Muscat. Other cities – Salalah, Nizwa, Sohar, Sur.

Terrain: Mountains, plains, and arid plateau.

Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south

Local Time: 8 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Four hours ahead of GMT

Religions: Ibadhi; Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu, Christian.

Languages: Arabic is the official language of Oman, and English and Asian languages such as Hindi, Urdu, and Baluchi are also widely spoken. Swahili is spoken by some, a legacy of Oman's former East African presence. English is widely used in business.

Currency: The basic unit of currency in Oman is the Omani Rial (0.38 rial equals U.S. $1; fixed rate). It is divided into 1000 baiza. The rial is the only currency circulated, although in some rural areas transactions occur outside the cash economy.

Credit Cards: All banks in Oman offer customers cash and debit cards, which can be used at any branch of the same bank and, by arrangement, at other banks.

Hours of Business: Normal Business Hours are 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 4 to 7 PM, Saturday–Wednesday; banking hours are generally 8 AM to noon, though some banks reopen from 4 to 6 PM. Banks and businesses close at 11:30 AM on Thursday and remain closed Friday. Business Hours are reduced during the Ramadan fast.

Electricity: Electricity in Oman is 240 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Oman with a device that does not accept 240 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter.

Government Type: Monarchy.

Constitution: None. 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 rights and responsibilities for Omani citizens.

People

Nationality: Noun – Oman. Adjective – Omani(s).

Population (2006 est.): 3.20 million (includes 577,000 non-nationals).

Annual growth rate (2006 est.): 3.2%.

Ethnic Groups: Arab, Baluchi, East African (Zanzabari), South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi).

About 55% of the population lives in Muscat and the Batinah coastal plain northwest of the capital; about 215,000 live in the Dhofar (southern) region, and about 30,000 live in the remote Musandam Peninsula on the Strait of Hormuz. Some 660,000 expatriates live in Oman, most of whom are guest workers from South Asia, Egypt, Jordan, and the Philippines.

Things to know about Oman before you go

History

Oman adopted Islam in the seventh century A.D., during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad. Ibadhism, a form of Islam distinct from Shiaism and the "Orthodox" schools of Sunnism, became the dominant religious sect in Oman by the eighth century A.D. Oman is the only country in the Islamic world with a majority Ibadhi population. Ibadhism is known for its "moderate conservatism." One distinguishing feature of Ibadhism is the choice of ruler by communal consensus and consent.

Contact with Europe was established in 1508, when the Portuguese conquered parts of Oman's coastal region. Portugal's influence predominated for more than a century. Fortifications built during the Portuguese occupation can still be seen at Muscat.

Except for a period when Persia conquered parts of Oman, Oman has been an independent nation. After the Portuguese were expelled in 1650 and while resisting Persian attempts to establish hegemony, the Sultan of Oman extended his conquests to Zanzibar, other parts of the eastern coast of Africa, and portions of the southern Arabian Peninsula.

During the late 19th and early to mid-20th centuries, the sultan in Muscat faced a rebellion by members of the Ibadhi sect residing in the interior of Oman, cantered around the town of Nizwa, who wanted to be ruled exclusively by their religious leader, the Imam of Oman. This conflict was resolved temporarily by the Treaty of Seeb in 1920, which granted the imam autonomous rule in the interior, while recognizing the sovereignty of the sultan elsewhere.

Following the discovery of oil in the interior, the conflict flared up again in 1954, when the new imam led a sporadic 5-year rebellion against the sultan's efforts to extend government control into the interior. The insurgents were defeated in 1959 with British help. The sultan then terminated the Treaty of Seeb and eliminated the office of the imam. In the early 1960s, the imam, exiled to Saudi Arabia, obtained support from his hosts and other Arab governments, but this support ended in the 1980s.

In November 1996, Sultan Qaboos presented his people with the "Basic Statute of the State," Oman's first written "constitution." It guarantees various rights within the framework of Shariah and customary law. It partially resuscitated long dormant conflict-of-interest measures by banning cabinet ministers from being officers of public shareholding firms. Perhaps most importantly, the Basic Statute provides rules for the royal succession.

Medical Services:

Care and medicines are available in Oman. Local medical treatment varies in quality, however, and can be inadequate. While hospital emergency treatment is available, there is no ambulance service in Oman. Malaria is a concern in the interior and on the Batinah Coast. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to travelling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

Drinking Water:

Diseases from food and water are the leading cause of illness in travellers.

Follow these tips for safe eating and drinking:

Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, learn how to make water safer to drink.

Make sure food is fully cooked.

Dress Code:

Dress code is of utmost importance. When visiting The Country it is important that you dress modestly but comfortably. Women should consider mid-length skirts or dresses (below the knee) with long sleeves, but short sleeves are okay. Tight-fitting clothes should be avoided as they may cause offence. Skimpy shorts should never be worn in public by men or women and beachwear is prohibited anywhere except on the beach or the hotel pool.

Transportation:

Taxis and car are the easiest mode of transport in Oman. They are easily available in Muscat, Salalah and other major cities of Oman. All the taxi drivers in Oman are essentially Omanis, and they are really nice and helping. Travellers visiting Oman can also rent a car from Dubai, but they have to make sure that the car is insured in Oman. Though for frequent travels during the day, buses are not recommended, as cars offer a better and a faster mode of transport. But always remember that hiring a car in Oman is easy but not cheap.

Shopping:

The Capital area has a number of shopping malls, mainly situated in Qurum, but in recent times, spreading to the Al Khuwair area, which house a variety of shops, ranging from boutiques to chain stores. Local produce in the super markets is reasonably priced and of a good standard. There are many furniture shops selling mainly Western style furniture, but a few galleries have opened up which renovate and customise antique Middle Eastern and Indian furniture.

Passport:

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Oman. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your expected departure from The Country.

Valid and signed U. S. Passport (valid at least 6 months beyond the date of entry; with at least one blank visa page) – photocopy is not acceptable

VISA ON ARRIVAL AT SEEB INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Pay currency at the foreign exchange counter (Travelex) and collect a visa receipt.

Get in queue for the Immigration "visa on arrival".

Tourists from the following countries can benefit from the visa on arrival at Seeb International airport at a fee of 6 Rials per visa. (US$16 approximately - Lists subject to change)

OTHER COUNTRIES – Canada, U.S.A., Australia, South Africa, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand.

Taiwan, Brunei, Seychelles, Hong Kong, South Korea, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Tunisia & Lebanon

SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES – Venezuela, Uruguay, Ecuador, French Guyana, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Suriname, Paraguay, Chile, Columbia & Peru.

JOINT DUBAI/OMAN VISA

Visitors of those nationalities eligible for a visa on arrival in Oman, who have entered Dubai and then travel to Oman, when entering through either Seeb Airport or the Hatta border are entitled to a free Oman visa on arrival. The visitor should show the Immigration officer the stamped Dubai visa.

Holidays, Festivals & Events

Ramadan

Ramadan is the month during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, and feast from dusk until dawn. Normal business patterns may be interrupted, many restaurants close and it is illegal for Muslims and non-Muslims to eat, drink or smoke in public. Alcohol is not served publicly at any time during Ramadan. Shopping centres are open late.

Eid Al Fitr

Eid Al Fitr is a three-day celebration following Ramadan. It is a festive family time during which Muslims do not fast, in fact, it is a time for feasting. The first day of Eid begins before dawn. Muslims gather in large outdoor areas for the first prayer of the day. Returning home from prayer, Muslims spend the day greeting friends and family. Homes are busy with visitors arriving throughout the day. Sweets, fruits, and snacks are offered to all and gifts are often given to children.

Events celebrated in Oman are generally Muslim festivals and feasts. Exact dates change from year to year according to the Islamic lunar calendar. The following events are public holidays, and move forward by approximately 11 days each year.

Ramadan (Month of fasting and feasting)

Eid Al Fitr (Three days of feasting. Follows Ramadan)

Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)

Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)

Mouloud (Birth of Mohammed)

Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of Mohammed)

Arrival Guide

Visa & Passport

All visitors (except those with Gulf Co-Operation Council passports) require a visa to enter Oman. Visas can be obtained on arrival. All visitors require a passport with spare pages valid for six months (or a year for a multiple entry visa), onward or return tickets and all documents needed for the next destination. Gulf States nationals need only their National Identity Card for entry.

Entry requirements for Australians:

A valid passport is required. A single entry 'Visit Visa' valid for one month, or one year multiple entry visa (for maximum of three weeks stay per visit) is required.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders:

A valid passport is required. A single entry 'Visit Visa' valid for one month, or one year multiple entry visa (for maximum of three weeks stay per visit) is required.

Health

No vaccinations are required for entry to Oman, except for yellow fever for those entering within six days of having been in an infected area. Visitors should ensure they are up to date on all routine vaccinations. Avoid mosquito bites, as dengue fever may be a risk, and there is a small risk of malaria in remote areas. Brucellosis is reported, particularly in the south of the country. Health and medical services in the country, particularly Muscat, are of a high standard, but are expensive for foreigners (Oman nationals receive free treatment), so health insurance is recommended. Food and water in Muscat is considered safe, but bottled water and precautions with unpasteurised milk are advised outside of the city.

Climate and Weather

Oman's climate is mainly hot and dry, particularly in the scorching barren interior where summer temperatures can soar to 130°F (54°C). On the coast humidity can be high during the summer months. Milder temperatures and a more temperate climate are found in the southern Dhofar region, which experiences heavy monsoon rains between June and September each year. In general the rest of the country experiences low and irregular rainfall.