Oman is a country located in the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the west, the United Arab Emirates to the north, and Yemen to the south. The country has a long coastline on the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

Oman is a monarchy ruled by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said since 2020. It is divided into 11 governorates and has a population of around 5 million people, most of whom live in the capital city, Muscat, and the surrounding area.

The economy of Oman is heavily reliant on oil and gas exports, which account for around 70% of government revenue. However, the government is making efforts to diversify the economy and develop non-oil sectors such as tourism, fisheries, and manufacturing.

Oman has a rich cultural heritage, with a history dating back to ancient times. It is known for its traditional handicrafts, such as weaving, pottery, and metalwork, as well as its music, dance, and cuisine. The country is also home to a number of natural attractions, including stunning mountain ranges, deserts, and beaches.

Islam is the dominant religion in Oman, with around 75% of the population being Muslim. The country is known for its moderate and tolerant form of Islam, and freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken and used in business and education.

Telephone Code
968

Local Emergency Phone
999

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

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

Currency (Code)
Omani rials (OMR)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
240 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G

Major Languages
Arabic, English, Baluchi, Swahili, Urdu, Indian dialects

Major Religions
Muslim 85.9%, Christian 6.5%, Hindu 5.5%, Buddhist 0.8%, Jewish <0.1%

Potable Water
Yes

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Wahiba Sands; Musandam Fjords; Ras al Jinz; Jebel Akhdar; Salalah; Bahla; Masirah Island; Archeological sites at Bat, Al-Khutm, & Al-Ayn; Grand Mosque in Muscat; Souq Muttrah

Major Sports
Dhow racing (sailing), horse racing, falconry, camel racing, bull fighting

Cultural Practices
Pointing your foot at another person is considered very rude, as is showing the sole of one's foot.

Tipping Guidelines
A tip of 10% is considered the norm at restaurants and hotels. Rounding up or letting the driver keep the change is appropriate for taxis.

Souvenirs
Khanjar daggers, silver boxes inlaid with lapis lazuli, coffee and tea sets, frankincense and incense burners, clay pots, Quran stands, silver and gold jewelry, hand-woven goat-hair carpets, woven baskets

Traditional Cuisine
Shuwa — lamb or goat meat coated in a spice blend of chili peppers, cardamom, cloves, cumin, or coriander then wrapped in banana or palm leaves and placed in a woven bag before being roasted and smoked in underground pits; typically served on a bed of rice with a tomato-based sauce

Geography
Area
total: 309,500 sq km
land: 309,500 sq km
water: 0 sq km

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

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

People and Society
Population
3,833,465 (2023 est.)

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

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

Religions
Muslim 85.9%, Christian 6.4%, Hindu 5.7%, other and unaffiliated 2% (2020 est.)

Population growth rate
1.8% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
absolute monarchy

Capital
name: Muscat

Economy
Economic overview
high-income, oil-based economy; large welfare system; growing government debt; citizenship-based labor force growth policy; US free trade agreement; diversifying portfolio; high female labor force participation

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$155.028 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$34,300 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
dates, tomatoes, vegetables, goat milk, milk, cucumbers, green chillies/peppers, watermelons, sorghum, melons

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

Exports
$46.324 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
China 46%, India 8%, Japan 6%, South Korea 6%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, refined petroleum, iron products, fertilizers (2019)

Imports
$36.502 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
United Arab Emirates 36%, China 10%, Japan 7%, India 7%, United States 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
cars, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, gold, iron (2019)