Oman Travel Guide

Oman — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Middle East, southeastern tip of Arabian Peninsula.
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.
Area: 309,500 sq km (119,500 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 4.
Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz.
Population: 3.2 million (CIA estimate 2007).
Population Density: 10.3 per sq km.
Capital City: Muscat. Population: 620,000 (census 2003).
Government: Sultanate since 1744.
Head of State: Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id since 1970.
Religion: Predominantly Muslim, including Shi’ite Muslim, Sunni Muslim and facilities for the worship of other religions.

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 while maintaining close, friendly ties with Western countries, particularly the UK.

Communications

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.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
7 Dec Islamic New Year

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
15 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
28 Jun Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
23 Jul Renaissance Day
31 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
6 Nov - 7 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
18 Nov National Day and birthday of HM Sultan Qaboos
26 Nov Islamic New Year

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
4 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
17 Jun Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
23 Jul Renaissance Day
19 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
25 Oct Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
15 Nov Islamic New Year
18 Nov National Day and birthday of HM Sultan Qaboos
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 seven 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).