# Oman

> sovereign state in western Asia

**Wikidata**: [Q842](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q842)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oman)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/oman

## Summary
Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman (سلطنة عُمان), is a sovereign state and absolute monarchy located in Western Asia on the Arabian Peninsula. The country is governed by a Sultan, who serves as both head of state and head of government, with Muscat as its capital city. It is characterized by its diverse geography, "Very High" Human Development Index, and strategic location bordering Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates.

## Key Facts
*   **Official Name:** Sultanate of Oman (سلطنة عُمان).
*   **Location:** Western Asia, Arabian Peninsula.
*   **Capital:** Muscat.
*   **Area:** 309,500 square kilometers.
*   **Coordinates:** Latitude 21, Longitude 57.
*   **Government Type:** Absolute monarchy; Sultanate.
*   **Head of State/Government:** Haitham bin Tarik Al Said (since January 11, 2020).
*   **Legislature:** Council of Oman.
*   **Currency:** Omani rial (since March 1974).
*   **Official Language:** Arabic.
*   **Official Religion:** Islam.
*   **Population:** 4,829,480 (2018, preferred value); 4,576,298 (2022).
*   **HDI (2021):** 0.816 (Very High).
*   **UN Membership:** Since October 7, 1971.
*   **Timezone:** UTC+04:00 (Asia/Muscat).
*   **Driving Side:** Right.
*   **Internet TLD:** .om.
*   **Telephone Code:** +968.
*   **ISO Codes:** OM / OMN / 512.
*   **Highest Point:** Jebel Shams (3,100 meters).
*   **Lowest Point:** Majlis al Jinn (-120 meters).
*   **Anthem:** Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani.

## FAQs
**What form of government does Oman have?**
Oman operates as an absolute monarchy, officially classified as a sultanate. The Sultan holds the offices of both head of state and head of government; the current Sultan is Haitham bin Tarik Al Said. The legislative body is the Council of Oman, and the executive body is the Cabinet of Oman.

**What are the geographic characteristics of Oman?**
Oman is located on the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia, covering 309,500 square kilometers. It shares land borders with Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates, and a maritime border with Iran. The terrain ranges from its highest point, Jebel Shams (3,100m), to its lowest point, the cave chamber Majlis al Jinn (-120m).

**What is the demographic profile of Oman?**
As of 2018, the population was approximately 4.83 million. The population is predominantly urban, with over 4 million living in urban areas compared to approximately 560,000 in rural areas as of 2022. The age of majority is 18, and life expectancy was recorded at 74 years in 2022.

**What languages are spoken in Oman?**
The official language is Arabic (Modern Standard). However, the country has significant linguistic diversity, including Omani Arabic, Dhofari Arabic, Shihhi Arabic, Kumzari, and Modern South Arabian languages such as Mehri, Shehri, Hobyót, Bathari, and Harsusi. English is also used.

**What international organizations is Oman a member of?**
Oman is a member of the United Nations (since 1971), the League of Arab States (since 1971), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (since 1970), and the World Trade Organization (since 2000). It is also a member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf (GCC) since 1981.

**What are the economic indicators for Oman?**
Oman's nominal GDP was $114.67 billion USD in 2022. The currency is the Omani rial, managed by the Central Bank of Oman. The unemployment rate was recorded as 16% in 2017.

## Why It Matters
Oman is a significant geopolitical entity in the Middle East, serving as a stable sovereign state bridging key regions of the Arabian Peninsula. With a "Very High" Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.816 as of 2021, it demonstrates substantial development in health, education, and income compared to global averages. The country's strategic importance is bolstered by its location near the Strait of Hormuz and its historical role as a maritime power. Furthermore, Oman stands out for its cultural preservation, hosting a variety of unique languages including Kumzari and several Modern South Arabian languages, alongside its rapid modernization since the change of leadership in 1970.

## Notable For
*   **High Human Development:** Oman has achieved a "Very High" Human Development Index (0.816 in 2021).
*   **Linguistic Diversity:** Home to endangered languages such as Hobyót, Bathari, and Harsusi, alongside distinct dialects like Dhofari and Shihhi Arabic.
*   **Unique Geology:** Contains Jebel Shams, the country's highest peak (3,100m), and Majlis al Jinn, one of the world's largest cave chambers (-120m).
*   **Monarchical Governance:** One of the few absolute monarchies remaining in the world where the Sultan holds supreme executive authority.
*   **Tourism Branding:** Promoted globally with the slogan "Beauty has an address."

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Oman is a sovereign state situated in Western Asia, occupying the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It covers a total area of 309,500 square kilometers. The country is located at coordinates latitude 21 and longitude 57, with its northernmost point situated at 26.38°N. It shares international borders with Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates, and maintains a maritime border with Iran. The highest point in the country is Jebel Shams, rising to 3,100 meters, while the lowest point is the natural depression of Majlis al Jinn at -120 meters.
Administratively, Oman is divided into 11 governorates: Ad Dakhiliyah, Ad Dhahirah, Al Batinah North, Al Batinah South, Al Buraimi, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah North, Ash Sharqiyah South, Dhofar, Muscat, and Musandam.

### Government and Politics
Oman is an absolute monarchy and a sultanate. The Sultan serves as both the head of state and the head of government, a position currently held by Haitham bin Tarik Al Said since January 11, 2020. The executive power is exercised by the Cabinet of Oman. The legislative branch consists of the Council of Oman. The country's official religion is Islam, and the basic form of government is defined as an absolute monarchy.
In terms of political rights and civil liberties, Oman has been characterized as a "not-free country" by Freedom in the World. The Democracy Index score was recorded as 3.0 in 2021. Diplomatic relations are maintained with a wide array of countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, China, Russia, and neighboring Gulf states.

### Demographics and Society
The population of Oman has grown substantially from 551,737 in 1960 to 4,829,480 in 2018 (the preferred value). By 2022, the total population was derived from 2,785,494 males and 1,790,804 females. The society is largely urbanized; in 2022, the urban population was 4,015,701 compared to a rural population of 560,597. The birth rate in 2022 was 17.706 per 1,000 people, and the death rate was 3.279 per 1,000 people.
The official language is Arabic. The linguistic landscape includes Modern Standard Arabic and numerous vernaculars such as Omani Arabic, Dhofari Arabic, Shihhi Arabic, and Kumzari. Additionally, Modern South Arabian languages like Mehri, Shehri (Jibbali), Hobyót, Bathari, and Harsusi are spoken. English is also widely used.
Social indicators include an age of majority and marriageable age set at 18 years for all genders. Life expectancy at birth was recorded as 74 years in 2022.

### Economy and Infrastructure
Oman has a high-income economy with a nominal GDP of $114.67 billion USD reported in 2022. The currency is the Omani rial, which was introduced in March 1974, replacing the Said rial (used from 1970) and the Gulf rupee (used before 1970). The central bank is the Central Bank of Oman. The unemployment rate was recorded at 16% in 2017.
The country's infrastructure supports right-hand traffic. Electrical supply operates at 240 volts and 50 Hz, utilizing plug types such as the Europlug and BS 1363. The international telephone country code is +968, and the emergency phone number is 112. Oman maintains an open data portal for public access to information.

### International Relations and Membership
Oman is an active member of the international community. It joined the United Nations on October 7, 1971. It is also a member of the League of Arab States (since 1971), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (since 1970), and the World Trade Organization (since 2000). Regionally, it is a member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf (GCC), having joined in 1981.
Other memberships include the International Monetary Fund (IMF) groups such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), as well as Interpol, UNESCO, and the World Health Organization.

### Culture and Symbols
The national symbols of Oman include the national anthem "Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" and the national motto "Beauty has an address" (Mae gan Brydferthwch Gyfeiriad), which serves as a tourism slogan. The country is represented by its national flag and the Coat of arms of Oman. The culture is deeply influenced by its Islamic heritage and the diverse ethnic groups residing within its governorates.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/oman)
2. Constitution of Oman
3. BnF authorities
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eu-list-of-non-cooperative-jurisdictions/)
6. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/asia)
7. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
8. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/oman)
9. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
10. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=225)
11. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
12. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
13. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Asia-South-Pacific/OMAN)
14. [International Hydrographic Organization](https://www.iho.int/srv1/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=452&lang=en)
15. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
16. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
17. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/oman)
18. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
19. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
20. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
21. FIPS 10-4
22. MusicBrainz
23. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
24. World Bank Open Data
25. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
26. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
27. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
28. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
29. The National Terminology Database for Irish
30. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
31. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
32. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
33. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
34. [International Numbering Resources Database](http://www.itu.int/net/itu-t/inrdb/e129_important_numbers.aspx)
35. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
36. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
37. [Source](https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-report-on-international-religious-freedom/oman/)
38. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
39. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
40. [Gazetteer](https://github.com/EnvironmentOntology/gaz/blob/master/src/ontology/gaz_countries.csv)
41. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/uman)
42. iNaturalist
43. FactGrid
44. 2020 Democracy Index
45. 2021 Democracy Index
46. KBpedia
47. [Source](https://www.bti-project.org)
48. [Source](https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-dashboard/OMN)
49. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/inequality-adjusted-human-development-index\#/indicies/IHDI)