Oman

Background: In 1970, Qaboos bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.
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. Area: Total: 212,460 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.
Climate and Terrain: Dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south. 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%, permanent pastures: 5%, other: 95%. Irrigated land: 580 sq km.
People: Population: 2,622,198 note: includes 527,078 non-nationals. Ethnic groups: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African. Religions: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu. Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects.
Government: Monarchy. Capital: Muscat. Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese).
Economy overview: Oman's economic performance improved significantly in 2000 due largely to the upturn in oil prices. The government is moving ahead with privatization of its utilities, the development of a body of commercial law to facilitate foreign investment, and increased budgetary outlays. Oman continues to liberalize its markets and joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November 2000. Labor force: 850,000. Industries: crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction, cement, copper. Agriculture - products: dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish.
Statistics: Telephones: 201,000. Telephones - mobile cellular: 59,822. Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 9, short-wave 2. Radios: 1.4 million. Television broadcast stations: 13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters).) Televisions: 1.6 million. Internet country code: .om Internet users: 50,000. Railways: 0 km. Highways: Total: 32,800 km paved: 9,840 km (including 550 km of expressways) unpaved: 22,960 km. Pipelines: crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 km. Airports - with paved runways: Total: 6. Airports - with unpaved runways: Total: 137.