Oman

Oman

Introduction

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. Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa in 2010-11, Omanis began staging marches and demonstrations to demand economic benefits, an end to corruption, and greater political rights. In February and March 2011, in response to protester demands, QABOOS pledged to create more government jobs and promised to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting legislative and regulatory powers to the Council of Oman and the introduction of unemployment benefits. Also in March, the Gulf Cooperation Council pledged $20 billion in financial aid to Oman and Bahrain over a 10-year period to assist the two nations in their struggle with Arab protests. Amid concessions made to oppositionists, the government during the summer continued to crack down on protests and demonstrations, and increasingly clamped down on the media. In October 2011, QABOOS issued a royal decree expanding the legislative powers of the Council of Oman to amend and approve draft legislation.

Geography

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

Map references

Middle East

Area

total: 309,500 sq km
country comparison to the world: 71 land:309,500 sq km
water:0 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

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm

Climate

dry desert

hot, humid along coast

hot, dry interior

strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south

Terrain

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: 0.12%
permanent crops:0.14%
other:99.74% (2005)

Irrigated land

590 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

1 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 1.36cu km/yr (7%/2%/90%)
per capita:529cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior

periodic droughts

Environment – current issues

rising soil salinity

beach pollution from oil spills

limited natural freshwater 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

Geography – note

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

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Omani(s)
adjective:Omani

Ethnic groups

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

Languages

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

Religions

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

Population

3,027,959 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136 note:includes 577,293 non-nationals

Age structure

0-14 years: 31.2% (male 484,292/female 460,066)
15-64 years:65.7% (male 1,133,329/female 856,701)
65 years and over:3.1% (male 47,786/female 45,785) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 24.1 years
male:25.5 years
female:22.4 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

2.023% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48

Birth rate

24.15 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67

Death rate

3.45 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211

Net migration rate

-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137

Urbanization

urban population: 73% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

MUSCAT (capital) 634,000 (2009)

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 (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

20 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 126

Infant mortality rate

total: 15.47 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 116 male:15.78 deaths/1,000 live births
female:15.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.22 years
country comparison to the world: 103 male:72.38 years
female:76.16 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.87 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Health expenditures

3% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 178

Physicians density

1.901 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 69

Hospital bed density

1.9 beds/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 103

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 92% of population
rural: 77% of population
total: 88% of population
unimproved:
urban: 8% of population
rural: 23% of population
total: 12% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 97% of population
rural: 61% of population
total: 87% of population
unimproved:
urban: 3% of population
rural: 39% of population
total: 13% of population (2000)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

1,100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127

Education expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 108

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:81.4%
male:86.8%
female:73.5% (2003 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years
male:12 years
female:11 years (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form:Oman
local long form:Saltanat Uman
local short form:Uman
former:Muscat and Oman

Government type

monarchy

Capital

name: Muscat
geographic coordinates:23 37 N, 58 35 E
time difference:UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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)*

Independence

1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

National holiday

Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)

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

Legal system

mixed legal system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

21 years of age

universal

note – members of the military and security forces are not allowed to vote

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)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the monarch
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:the monarchy is hereditary

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

Judicial branch

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

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI
chancery:2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 387-1980
FAX:[1] (202) 745-4933

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard J. SCHMIERER
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] 24-643-400
FAX:[968] 24-699771

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

National symbol(s)

Khanjar dagger superimposed on two crossed swords

National anthem

name: “Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani” (The Sultan’s 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

Economy

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 throughout 2010 provides the government greater financial resources to invest in non-oil sectors.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$75.84 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81 $72.77 billion (2009 est.)
$71.98 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$55.62 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

4.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88 1.1% (2009 est.)
12.9% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$25,600 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52 $25,000 (2009 est.)
$25,200 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 1.6%
industry:51%
services:47.5% (2010 est.)

Labor force

968,800
country comparison to the world: 142 note:about 60% of the labor force is non-national (2007)

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: NA%
industry:NA%
services:NA%

Unemployment rate

15% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Investment (gross fixed)

29.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34

Budget

revenues: $20.59 billion
expenditures:$20.71 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

37% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46

Public debt

4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132 5.4% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110 3.5% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

2% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144 0.05% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.835% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134 7.442% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$53.08 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45 $45.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$71.42 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61 $63.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$21.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78 $19.34 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$20.27 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 61 $17.3 billion (31 December 2009)
$14.91 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables

camels, cattle

fish

Industries

crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production

construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber

Industrial production growth rate

4.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91

Electricity – production

17.63 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74

Electricity – consumption

13.25 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

867,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25

Oil – consumption

142,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Oil – exports

592,300 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

Oil – imports

27,970 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105

Oil – proved reserves

5.5 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23

Natural gas – production

24.76 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

Natural gas – consumption

14.72 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39

Natural gas – exports

11.54 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19

Natural gas – imports

1.5 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52

Natural gas – proved reserves

849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

Current account balance

$2.007 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45 -$603 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$36.6 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60 $27.65 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles

Exports – partners

China 26.3%, South Korea 12.4%, Japan 12.1%, India 11.3%, UAE 10.8%, Thailand 6.6% (2010)

Imports

$17.87 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75 $16.05 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

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

Imports – partners

UAE 25.1%, Japan 15.4%, India 5.6%, US 5.5%, China 4.7% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$13.03 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67 $12.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$7.921 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99 $7.169 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$NA

Exchange rates

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

Transportation

Airports

130 (2010)
country comparison to the world:44

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)

Pipelines

condensate 107 km

gas 4,209 km

oil 3,558 km

refined products 263 km (2010)

Roadways

total: 53,430 km
country comparison to the world: 78 paved:23,223 km (includes 1,384 km of expressways)
unpaved:30,207 km (2008)

Merchant marine

total: 4
country comparison to the world: 134 by type:chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2
registered in other countries:9 (Panama 8, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Mina’ Qabus, Salalah, Suhar

Military

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 service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service

no conscription (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 985,957
females age 16-49:737,812 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 837,886
females age 16-49:642,427 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 31,959
female:30,264 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

11.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1

Transnational Issues

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