2010 Edition

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.

Area

land

309,500 sq km

total

309,500 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Kansas

Climate

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

Coastline

2,092 km

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; 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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

529 cu m/yr (2000)

total

1.36 cu km/yr (7%/2%/90%)

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

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%

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

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

Terrain

central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south

Total renewable water resources

1 cu km (1997)

Age structure

0-14 years: 42.7% (male 744,265/female 714,116) 15-64 years: 54.5% (male 1,079,511/female 783,243) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 55,180/female 41,770) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

23.9 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

3.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

4% of GDP (2006)

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,300 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

15.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

16.28 deaths/1,000 live births

total

16 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

75.88 years (2010 est.)

male

72.15 years

total population

73.97 years

Literacy

definition: NA

female

73.5% (2003 census)

male

86.8%

total population

81.4%

Median age

female

22.1 years (2010 est.)

male

25.4 years

total

23.9 years

Nationality

adjective

Omani

noun

Omani(s)

Net migration rate

-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

2,967,717 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

1.996% (2010 est.)

Religions

Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu) 25%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

11 years (2008)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.34 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.23 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.87 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

72% of total population (2008)

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 (Muscat)*, Musandam*, Zufar (Dhofar)*

Capital

geographic coordinates

23 37 N, 58 35 E

name

Muscat

time difference

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

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Richard J. SCHMIERER

embassy

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

FAX

[968] 24-699771

mailing address

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

telephone

[968] 24-643-400

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI

FAX

[1] (202) 745-4933

telephone

[1] (202) 387-1980

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

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

elections

the monarchy is hereditary

head of government

Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972)

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; white represents peace and prosperity, red recalls battles against foreign invaders, and green symbolizes the Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility

Government type

monarchy

Independence

1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has judges who practice secular and sharia law

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

bicameral Majlis Oman consists of Majlis al-Dawla or upper chamber (71 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has only advisory powers and Majlis al-Shura or lower chamber (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; body has only advisory powers)

election results

new candidates won 46 seats and 38 members of the outgoing Majlis kept their positions; none of the 20 female candidates was elected

elections

last held on 27 October 2007 (next to be held in 2011)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS, arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS note: adopted 1932; new words were written after QABOOS bin Said al Said gained power in 1970; the anthem was first performed by the band of a British ship as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit to Muscat; the bandmaster of the HMS Hawkins was asked to write a salutation to the Sultan on the occasion of his visiting the ship

name

"Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem)

National holiday

Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces are not allowed to vote

Agriculture - products

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

Central bank discount rate

0.05% (31 December 2009) 0.91% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.44% (31 December 2009 est.) 7.1% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

$2.724 billion (2010 est.) -$2.143 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$8.829 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $7.061 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Economy - overview

Oman is a middle-income economy that is heavily dependent on dwindling oil resources. Because of declining reserves, Muscat has actively pursued a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP to 9% by 2020. Tourism and gas-based industries are key components of the government's diversification strategy. By using enhanced oil recovery techniques, Oman succeeded in increasing oil production, giving the country more time to diversify, and the increase in global oil prices thoughout 2010 provides the government greater financial resources to invest in non-oil sectors.

Electricity - consumption

11.36 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

13.58 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.3845 (2010), 0.3845 (2009), 0.3845 (2008), 0.3845 (2007), 0.3845 (2006)

Exports

$36.12 billion (2010 est.) $27.65 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles

Exports - partners

China 26.98%, South Korea 17.19%, Japan 12.12%, UAE 11.23%, Thailand 7.64% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

1.4%

industry

48.2%

services

50.3% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$25,800 (2010 est.) $25,400 (2009 est.) $25,400 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.6% (2010 est.) 2% (2009 est.) 12.8% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$53.78 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$76.53 billion (2010 est.) $73.87 billion (2009 est.) $72.42 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$19.3 billion (2010 est.) $16.13 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

UAE 22.9%, Japan 13.99%, US 6.46%, China 5.64%, India 5.27%, France 5.19%, South Korea 4.65% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

4.5% (2010 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)

4% (2010 est.) 3.5% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

26.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

968,800 note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$17.3 billion (31 December 2009) $14.91 billion (31 December 2008) $23.06 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

13.46 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

10.89 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

350 million cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

24 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

84,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

593,700 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Oil - imports

17,290 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

816,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

5.5 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

4.4% of GDP (2010 est.) 5.5% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$14 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $12.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$22.35 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $20.52 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$22.05 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $19.34 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$7.257 billion (31 December 2010 est) $6.15 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

15% (2004 est.)

Broadcast media

1 state-run TV broadcaster; TV stations transmitting from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Yemen are accessible via satellite TV; state-run radio operates multiple stations; first private radio station began operation in 2007 and 2 additional stations now operating (2007)

Internet country code

.om

Internet hosts

9,114 (2010)

Internet users

1.465 million (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership both increasing with fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced to remote villages using wireless local loop systems

general assessment

modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable; domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations

international

country code - 968; the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

300,100 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.971 million (2009)

Airports

130 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

11 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

119 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 51 914 to 1,523 m: 33 under 914 m: 26 (2010)

Heliports

3 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2

registered in other countries

9 (Panama 8, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)

total

4

Pipelines

gas 4,209 km; oil 3,558 km; refined products 263 km (2009)

Ports and terminals

Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar

Roadways

paved

23,223 km (includes 1,384 km of expressways)

total

68,467 km

unpaved

30,207 km (2008)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 964,200 females age 16-49: 714,421 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 816,579 females age 16-49: 622,927 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

30,148 (2010 est.)

male

31,827

Military branches

Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat) (2010)

Military expenditures

11.4% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)

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 page last updated on January 13, 2011 ======================================================================