2007 Edition

Administrative divisions

5 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 4 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Buraymi*, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat*, Musandam*, Zufar (Dhofar)*

Age structure

0-14 years: 42.7% (male 675,423/female 648,963) 15-64 years: 54.7% (male 1,001,917/female 695,578) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 44,300/female 36,048) (2006 est.)

Area

land

212,460 sq km

total

212,460 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Kansas

Background

The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of his father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. Geography Oman

Birth rate

36.24 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Capital

geographic coordinates

23 37 N, 58 35 E

name

Muscat

time difference

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Climate

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

Coastline

2,092 km

Constitution

none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be a constitution which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens

Country name

conventional long form

Sultanate of Oman

conventional short form

Oman

former

Muscat and Oman

local long form

Saltanat Uman

local short form

Uman

Death rate

3.81 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Jabal Shams 2,980 m

lowest point

Arabian Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resources

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African

Executive branch

chief of state

Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government

Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of

Geographic coordinates

21 00 N, 57 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil People Oman

Government type

monarchy

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,300 (2001 est.)

Independence

1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

Infant mortality rate

female

16 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

21.65 deaths/1,000 live births

total

18.89 deaths/1,000 live births

Irrigated land

720 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

border countries

Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km

total

1,374 km

Land use

arable land

0.12%

other

99.74% (2005)

permanent crops

0.14%

Languages

Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects

Legal system

based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Life expectancy at birth

female

75.72 years (2006 est.)

male

71.14 years

total population

73.37 years

Literacy

definition

NA

female

67.2% Government Oman

male

83.1%

total population

75.8%

Location

Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Median age

female

16.5 years (2006 est.)

male

21.7 years

total

19 years

National holiday

Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)

Nationality

adjective

Omani

noun

Omani(s)

Natural hazards

summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts

Natural resources

petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas

Net migration rate

0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Population

3,102,229

note

includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2006 est.)

Population growth rate

3.28% (2006 est.)

Religions

Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.25 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.44 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.23 male(s)/female

Suffrage

in Oman's most recent Majlis al-Shura elections in 2003, suffrage was universal for all Omanis over age 21 except for members of the military and security forces; the next Majlis al-Shura elections are scheduled for 2007

Terrain

central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south

Total fertility rate

5.77 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish

Airports

137 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)

total

6

Airports - with unpaved runways

over 3,047 m

2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 52 914 to 1,523 m: 35

total

131

under 914 m

35 (2006)

Budget

expenditures

$12.81 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2006 est.)

revenues

$14.33 billion

Currency (code)

Omani rial (OMR)

Currency code

OMR

Current account balance

$7.097 billion (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$4.259 billion (2006 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Gary A. GRAPPO

embassy

Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat

mailing address

P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Muscat

telephone

[968] 24-698989

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI

telephone

[1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988

Disputes - international

boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah exclave, but details of the alignment have not been made public

Economic aid - recipient

$76.4 million (1995)

Economy - overview

Oman is a middle-income economy in the Middle East with notable oil and gas resources, a substantial trade surplus, and low inflation. Sustained high oil prices in recent years have helped build Oman's budget and trade surpluses and foreign reserves. Oman joined the World Trade Organization in November 2000 and continues to liberalize its markets. To reduce unemployment and limit dependence on foreign labor, the government is encouraging the replacement of foreign expatriate workers with local workers. Oman actively seeks private foreign investors, especially in the industrial, information technology, tourism, and higher education fields. Industrial development plans focus on gas resources, metal manufacturing, petrochemicals, and international transshipment ports.

Electricity - consumption

13.33 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

14.33 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

100%

hydro

0%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Exchange rates

Omani rials per US dollar - 0.3845 (2006), 0.3845 (2005), 0.3845 (2004), 0.3845 (2003), 0.3845 (2002)

Exports

$24.73 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles

Exports - partners

China 21.6%, South Korea 19.3%, Japan 14.2%, Thailand 12.6%, UAE 7.1%, Taiwan 4.1% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 745-4933

[968] 24-699771

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Oman

Flag description

three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band Economy Oman

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

2.6%

industry

38.8%

services

58.7% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$14,100 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

6.5% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$27.23 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$43.88 billion (2006 est.)

Heliports

1 (2006)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$10.29 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants

Imports - partners

UAE 22.4%, Japan 15.7%, UK 7.7%, US 6.7%, Germany 5.8%, India 4.2% (2005)

Industrial production growth rate

5.9% (2006 est.)

Industries

crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Internet country code

.om

Internet hosts

3,555 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2000)

Internet users

245,000 (2005) Transportation Oman

Investment (gross fixed)

14.2% of GDP (2006 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

note

the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has judges who practice secular and Shari'a law

Labor force

920,000 (2002 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

Legislative branch

bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlis al-Dawla (58 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats; members elected by popular vote for four-year terms; body has some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has only advisory powers)

election results

NA

elections

last held 4 October 2003 (next to be held October 2007)

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49

508,621 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

719,871

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49

435,107 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

581,444

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 18-49

25,466 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

26,391

Merchant marine

by type

passenger 1

registered in other countries

2 (Kazakhstan 2) (2006)

total

1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 10,797 GRT/5,040 DWT

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$252.99 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

11.4% (2003) Transnational Issues Oman

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

Natural gas - consumption

6.77 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports

10.43 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

17.2 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

829.1 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

60,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

721,000 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day

Oil - production

769,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

4.7 billion bbl (2006 est.)

Pipelines

gas 4,072 km; oil 3,405 km (2006)

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Population below poverty line

NA%

Ports and terminals

Mina' Qabus, Salalah Military Oman

Public debt

4.5% of GDP (2006 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)

Radios

1.4 million (1997)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$4.908 billion (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

9,673 km (including 550 km of expressways)

total

34,965 km

unpaved

25,292 km (2001)

Royal Omani Armed Forces

Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat Oman, RAFO) (2006)

Telephone system

domestic

open-wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations

general assessment

modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable

international

country code - 968; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat

Telephones - main lines in use

265,200 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.333 million (2005)

Television broadcast stations

13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999)

Televisions

1.6 million (1997)

Trafficking in persons

current situation

Oman is a destination country for men and women primarily from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India who migrate willingly, but may subsequently become victims of trafficking when subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude as domestic workers and laborers; there have been occasional reports that expatriate children engaged in camel racing may transit or reside in Omani territory

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Oman is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List because of a lack of evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons in 2005 This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Unemployment rate

15% (2004 est.)