History

The Sultanate of Oman is a land of rich history, a country of breath-taking natural beauty, interwoven with a kaleidoscope of history and legends and a fascinating culture that dates back long years. Oman is often referred to as the ‘true Arabia’ because its ancient culture has been so beautifully preserved. Here, you’ll still find souks selling silver and frankincense, cattle and pottery, in the same way as has been customary for thousands of years. Oman’s unique story reveals examples of great moral strength, courage, heroism, maritime skills, scholarship and hard work that have together molded the Sultanate into its present form. It is His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s foresight and benevolence that has helped to secure Oman’s continued prosperity and ensured that the country remains one of the safest in the world.

Geography

Oman is such a wonderful country where travellers take keen interest in its geology. This country is composed mainly of oceanic crust and rocks that originate from the Earth's mantle. geological stories can be found just about anywhere. Oman is a country in the Middle East, on the Arabian Peninsula in southwestern Asia. Oman fronts are bordered by United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

People

The people of Oman offer a very warm welcome to guests in their country. The traditional Arab greetings are still widely observed making it a great sight. Oman has a population of just over 4 million and it is an Islamic country which is very accepting of other religions and cultures. Omani people are well known for their generous hospitality extended towards their guests.

Language

Arabic is the official language on Oman. Also English is widely spoken and written.

Climate

Oman has 360 days of sun per year with varying temperatures in the different regions. The average temperature between October and March is expected to be 20º - 30º Celsius and about 31º - 45º Celsius in the summer. During the summer months, the climate remains moderate. The best time to visit this beautiful country is anytime between October to April, when the weather greets you with a pleasant warmth in the day and cool in the evening.

Currency

The unit of currency is Omani Rial (RO 1 = US$ 2.63) which is divided into 1000 Baiza. Notes are available in denominations of RO 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, 1/2 Rial, and 100 Baiza. Coins are also in use for units under one (1) Rial.

Facts

* Capital: Muscat
* Area: 119,499 mi2 (309,500 km2).
* Population: 4. 5 Million
* Time: GMT + 4 hours
* Religion: Islam
* International dialling code: +968