Sultanate of Oman

Oman is a country of enormous diversity and natural beauty, which, while it has much to attract the discerning traveler, had until recent years been largely overlooked by international tourists.The government was anxious not to promote the Sultanate to tourists until it was ready to accommodate them. Now, with an enviable infrastructure securely in place, a wide range of international hotels and a wealth of things to see and do, Oman is ready to offer its traditional hospitality to visitors from around the world. By the end of 2004, the number of hotels and hotel apartments in the country stood at 146 and 9,8 respectively. Work on developing further facilities has been constantly ongoing.Indicative of the importance the government affords this sector was the issue of Royal Decree No. 61/2004, establishing a Ministry of Tourism and appointing a woman as its minister

Omani culture

The Omani culture has its roots firmly in the Islamic religion. Oman developed its own particular form of Islam, called Ibadhism, after its founder, Abdullah ibn Ibadh who lived during the 7th century AD. Not all Omanis are Ibadhis, however: there are also Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims. Omanis are not only tolerant of the beliefs of different Muslim divisions, they are also tolerant towards believers of other faiths, who are allowed to practise their religion in churches and temples. Islam is based on the fulfillment of the 'Five Pillars of Islam' or the hadiths. By fulfilling these duties one is assured of a place in heaven. The awqaf are religious endowments which can take the form of property or revenue and are administered by the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs for the maintenance of mosques and for the benefit of the community. The zakat is a charity tax which is paid to the needy. Every Muslim must pay this, according to his means. All Muslims are obliged to fast during Ramadhan, one of the Pillars of Islam. For around 29 to 30 days, each Islamic year, Muslims refrain from smoking, eating and drinking during the hours of fasting (from sunrise to sunset). Ramadhan advances 10 to 11 days each year as it is governed by the lunar calendar .The Haj or pilgrimage is another Pillar of Islam. The pilgrims travel to al-Medina in Saudi Arabia to visit the Prophet's tomb before travelling to the holy sites in Mecca. In 1999, there were approximately 19,000 Muslims travelling from Oman to Saudi Arabia. The pilgrimage is organised and coordinated by the Ministry, which ensures the pilgrims' health and safety during the course of their stay

Tourism in Oman

:Location

Located on the south-eastern tip of the Arabian peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman's 1,700 km coastline extends from the Straits of Hormuz in the north to the Arabian sea in the south. To its west, lie the United Arab Emirates, the kingdom

.of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen

:Area

.The Sultanate encompasses an area of 300,000 sq kms

:Population

(The population is 2.017 Million (1993

:Climate

The Sultanate's climate varies from one region to another. In the coastal areas, the weather is hot and humid during the summer months, while it is dry elsewhere in the interior. Mild weather dominates the mountains and Dhofar region all the year round. Winter which extends from November to March is a lovely, rather warm season with rain all over the country

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There is no regular monsoon in the Sultanate, although some regions receive scanty rainfall. Dhofar, located in the southern tip of the Sultanate however, enjoys a regular monsoon between

.June and October, every year

: Muscat

Muscat city, once a thriving and strategically located port of the Arabian peninsula inancient times, slid into oblivion in the early 20th century. Today, it is the capital of the Sultanate and has been restored to its former glory. It comprises a group of residential quarters and suburbs -- Muttrah, Ruwi, Sidab, Al Seeb, Bowshar and Quryat. Muscat's quaint old buildings co-exist with modern new commercial and residential quarters giving the city an ambience of its own. In Ruwi, the commercial centre of the city, are located private sector establishments and business organizations, besides retail shops which market electronic goods, jewellery, garments and other items. Also located in this part of the city are fancy shopping like Sabco, Capital Commercial and Oman Commercial Centres. Not far away is the bustling, old Muttrah souq where the tourist can buy traditional Omani crafts, frankincense and silver jewellery as keepsakes. Muscat city is a haven for tourists. Quaint gardens and modern children's parks beckon the tourist, as do the quiet, secluded beaches at Al Bustan, Al Qurum and Qantab. The two imposing forts around Muscat add to the atmosphere. The forts at Jalali and Mirani are steeped in tradition and were built by the Portuguese in the 17th century

: The Interior

The stretch which extends to the desert just below the Jebel Akhdar in the north of the Sultanate, is loosely termed as the ''interior'. The oasis city of Nizwa, the region's most popular town was once the old capital of Oman. Today, it remains a major tourist attraction with its historical buildings and imposing fort built by Imam Sultan bin Saif in 1668 AD. The town boasts of the falaj Daris (traditional irrigation system) and its bustling souq situated near a gnarled old tree, where tourists can buy exquisite copper and silver jewellery, dates and even goats on certain days! Bahla, 35 kms west of Nizwa is replete with the ambience of a traditional Oman town. Its ancient fort, encircled by a 12 km long winding wall guards the town and its wealth of palm groves. The fort believed to be built in pre-Islamic days is now on a UNESCO World Heritage list. Bahla is famous for its pottery and for its elegant Jabrin fort built as a palace in 1670 by Imam Bal Arab bin Sultan. Its beautifully painted ceilings, its architectural style and the poetry engraved on its walls, reflect the culture of bygone eras. En route to Nizwa from Muscat is Fanja village, well-known for its camet weavers

: The Eastern Region

At the eastem tip of the Jebel Al Hajar are vast sandy plains criss-crossed by innumerable wadis. The Wahiba sands lie south of this area and the Jaalan territory borders its south eastern side. The historic port of Sur remains the chief town of this region, and is especially noted for fishing and for the old Omani traditional trade of shipbuilding. Fifteen kilometres away stands Kalhat, home to the ancient Bibi Mariam mosque. Another notable town on the Muscat-Sur road is Al Mudairib characterised by its quaint buildings, the designs of which have remained unchanged for centuries. For more hectic commercial activity, however, people in this region converge on bra, a fair-sized town, 180 kms from Muscat. Tourists will find a number of old historic forts and mosques in this area

: Al Batina Region

A visit to this coastal area with its abundance of fertile green plains forms a welcome relief to the rest of the Sultanate. The quiet old coastal city of Sohar was once an important Islamic sea port. It is especially noted for its 17th century fort built by Imam Nasser bin Murshid Al Yaarabi. In this region is Barka town, better known for its traditional weaving industry and for its spectacular and adventurous bullfight sports. Standing amidst a green oasis is the ancient town of Rustaq. Lush foliage and scenic wadis watered by the perennial springs at Al kasfa surround this town. Another fortress stands regal at Rustaq, its history dating back to the Sassanid era. Architectural enthusiasts can take time off to study the distinctive style of the Al Hazm fortress, constructed by Imam Sultan bin Saif the Second in 1708 AD

: Al Dhahira Region

In the northern part of the Sultanate lie Ibri, Buraimi, Yanqul and Danak, the four important towns of the Al Dhahira region. Buraimi, a hitherto quiet and mral town, is now flooded by a host of modern amenities from neighboring Al Am city, a modern holiday destination in the UAE. Buraimi's old fort stands sentinel to this change. An abundance of foliage and fresh water pools mark the charming oasis of Ibri. The townspeople here manufacture textiles and waterskins from camel hide for a living. Archaeologists have discovered an ancient burial ground in the neighbouring district of Bat, believed to date back to 4,000 B.C. Al Sulaif village with its traditional buildings and the "land of secret", the Al Ghabi region in Al Iraqi district are also located in this area

:The Central Region

At the centre of the Sultanate and bordered by Saudi Arabia on its west is a semi-desert land, home to several species of wild cows, gazelles and the graceful oryx. Nomadic tribes inhabit this land making a livelihood by breeding cattle and fishing along the 400-km long coastal region, lapped by the Arabian sea. Haima is the region's most important wilayat, strategically located on the road to the Governorate of Dhof ar. Al Duqm district with its breathtaking coast and exotic birdlife (flamingoes inhabit this area) is an ideal camping ground for adventurous tourists. The coastal district of Al Ghazir, the gazelles and wildfowls which roam this area are other attractions in this region

: Dhofar Governorate

At the southern end of the Sultanate and facing the Arabian sea is the Dhofar region. Comprising one-third of the total land area of the Sultanate, the Dhofar area is marked by a mild climate, its mountains catching a seasonal rainfall between June and September every year. The garden city of Salalah, the Sultanate's summer capital, is a major tourist centre as well as the most important town of this region. Its lush coconut plantations which grow right to the water's edge, the mgged beauty of its fertile plains, its freshwater springs, its bustling souq and salubrious landscape leave a lasting impression on the travellers mind. Centuries earlier, the Jebalis, as the mountain people of Dhofar are called, acquired their wealth from the sale of frankincense, which was sold to distant Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome. Raysut, with its fine golden sandy beaches is the other important town in this region. Thirty five kms away from Salalah is Taqa, a fishing town befler known for its sardines. Mirbat, which still trades in incense is also the starting point of the caravan desert route to Syria and Iraq, via Yemen. Ruins of the palace of the legendary Queen of Sheba stand along the creek of khor Ron, a little over 3 kms from Taqa. Overlooking this are the remains of an ancient temple believed to be dedicated to the Moon God in the 2nd century BC, and the ruined town of Samaharam

: Musandam Governorate

At the northern end of the Suitanate is the Musandam region, which overlooks the Straits of Hormuz. Musandam is segregated from the rest of the country by the UAE, but is accessible however, by internal flights operated by Oman Aviation and by road. Khasab town with its 17th century fort and its date plantations, is the principal town of this region. Another place worth a visit is the seaside town of Bukha