Oman Country & Tourist Information

Location
Middle East, southeastern tip of Arabian Peninsula.

Area
309,500 sq km (119,500 sq miles).

Population
3.2 million (CIA estimate 2007).

Population Density
10.3 per sq km.

Capital
Muscat.
Population: 620,000 (census 2003).

Government
Sultanate since 1744. 

Language
Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken. Swahili is also spoken by Omani descendents from East Africa. German and French are spoken by some hotel staff while Urdu, Farsi, Hindi and Tagalog are widely spoken by Oman’s large expatriate workforce.

Religion
Predominantly Muslim, including Shi’ite Muslim, Sunni Muslim and facilities for the worship of other religions.

Time
GMT + 4.

Electricity
220/240 volts AC, 50Hz.

Head of State
Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id since 1970.

Recent History
The current Sultan and his partially publicly elected government have been responsible for overseeing the country’s dramatic modernization program. When he came to power in 1970, Sultan Qaboos inherited a country that boasted only 10km of sealed road, two American-run missionary hospitals and no secondary schools. Today, good roads link nearly every town in the country, every region has modern healthcare facilities, and all Omani citizens are given free primary and secondary education. Oman has gained an international reputation for being a peaceful, settled nation, loyal to Arab neighbors whilst maintaining close, friendly ties with Western countries, particularly the UK.

Telephone
Country code: 968.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage is variable.

Internet
There are Internet cafes throughout Oman.

Media
The government operates Oman’s TV and radio stations. However, private, Omani-owned radio and TV stations are now emerging. The use of satellite dishes is permitted. A press act allows the government to censor publications for political or cultural reasons.

Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes three to four days.

Press
• English-language newspapers include The Oman Daily Observer and The Times of Oman.
• There are more than 20 publications, including dailies and weeklies.

Radio
• Radio Oman is a state-run network in Arabic and English.
• Hala FM is a private, Arabic music station.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan Ras as-Sana (Islamic New Year).
9 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
23 July Renaissance Day (Marking the start of the reign of Sultan Qaboos).
20 Jul Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet). 
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
18 Nov National Day and birthday of HM Sultan Qaboos. 
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec Islamic New Year.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
26 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
9 Jul Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet). 
23 July Renaissance Day (Marking the start of the reign of Sultan Qaboos).
11 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
18 Nov National Day and birthday of HM Sultan Qaboos. 
17 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). 
7 Dec Islamic New Year.

Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Restaurants are closed during the day and smoking and drinking in public is forbidden between dawn and dusk, although discreet provisions are made for guests in most hotels. Many shops are closed for a day or two during the Eid holidays. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha last from two to 7 days depending largely on what day of the week Eid begins.

Contact Information:

Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in the UK
167 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5HE, UK
Tel: (020) 7225 0001.
Website: www.omanembassy.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1530; 0930-1230 (visa section).

Oman Tourism in the UK
c/o Representation Plus, 11 Blades Court, 121 Deodar Road, London SW15 2NU, UK
Tel: (020) 8877 4508.
Website: www.omantourism.gov.om

Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in the USA
2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 387 1980.


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