Introduction to Oman
¡¾Country Name¡¿ The Sultanate of Oman Oman
Area: 309,500 square kilometers
[Population] 5.16 million (January 2024), of which 57% are Oman nationals.
Islam is the state religion. 85.9% of the population is Muslim, mostly Ibad.
Language: The official language is Arabic, and English is commonly spoken.
Muscat covers an area of about 3,900 square kilometers and has a population of 1.4 million.
¡¾Head of State¡¿Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik Al-Said· ·· Haitham Bin Tarik Al-Said, who ascended the throne on January 11, 2020.
¡¾National Day¡¿ November 18
¡¾Geography¡¿ It is located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Yemen and other countries, and borders the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The coastline is 3,165 km long. With the exception of the northeastern mountains, it has a tropical desert climate. The year is divided into two seasons, May to October is the hot season, the temperature is as high as 40 °C or more; The cool season is from November to April, with an average temperature of around 24°C.
¡¾Brief History¡¿ Oman is one of the oldest countries in the Arabian Peninsula. By 2000 BC there had been extensive maritime and land trade activities and had become the shipbuilding center of the Arabian Peninsula. It became part of the Arab Empire in the 7th century AD and became independent at the end of the 11th century. In 1429, the Ibads established their rule in Oman. In 1507, Oman was invaded by Portugal and colonized for a long time. In 1649, Oman natives overthrew Portugal and established the Yariba dynasty. In 1742, Oman was invaded by the Persian Afshar dynasty. In the middle of the 18th century, the locals of Oman drove out the Persians and established the Saeed dynasty, which was named the "Muscat Sultanate", which became one of the more powerful countries on the coast of India at that time, and its power once expanded to the coastal areas of East Africa. After the death of Sultan Saeed · bin · Sultan in 1856, his two sons took charge of Oman and East Africa. In 1861, the two places were officially divided. In 1871, the United Kingdom invaded Oman proper, forcing it to accept unequal treaties. In 1913, the hill tribes of Oman staged an anti-British uprising and established the "Islamic State of Oman". In 1920, the United Kingdom colonists signed the Treaty of Sib with the Imam, recognizing its independence, and Oman was divided into two parts: the "Sultanate of Muscat" and the "Islamic State of Oman". In December 1955, the United Kingdom colonists and their "Sultanate" troops captured Nizwa, the capital of the "Imam's State", and the local resistance withdrew into the mountains, and in July 1957 launched another anti-British uprising, but was eventually defeated by the British army on a large scale. In 1967, the "Sultanate of Muscat", Sultan Saeed · bin · Temur, with the support of United Kingdom, unified all of Oman and changed the name of the country to the "Sultanate of Muscat and Oman". On July 23, 1970, Sultan Temur was forced to abdicate the throne, and his only son Qaboos ascended the throne and changed the name of the country to the "Sultanate of Oman", which is still used today. In 1973, United Kingdom troops withdrew from Oman.
¡¾Politics¡¿ Oman is a hereditary monarchy and all political parties are prohibited. The Sudan enjoys absolute authority to promulgate laws, appoint cabinets, lead armies, and ratify and conclude international treaties. On 11 January 2020, Sultan Qaboos passed away and was succeeded by his cousin, Minister of Culture and Heritage, Haitham in accordance with Qaboos's edict.
The "Oman Committee" is composed of the National Committee (equivalent to the Upper House of Parliament) and the Consultative Council (equivalent to the Lower House of Parliament), and the members of the National Committee and the Consultative Council may not concurrently serve as each other. Among them, the National Committee was established in December 1997 and is mainly responsible for reviewing the legal, social and economic issues of the country, with a total of 75 members, most of whom are former senior political and military officials and well-known figures from all walks of life, all appointed by the Sudan for a term of four years and renewable terms. The current chairman, Abdu·l Malik Bin Abdullah Al Khalili· ·· Abdul Malik Bin Abdullah Al Khalili, took office in August 2020.
The Consultative Council was established in November 1991 as the National Advisory Committee, which was established in 1981. Prior to 2003, the members of the Consultative Conference could only be elected by a certain range of Oman citizens. Since 2003, universal suffrage has been held for the Consultative Council, and all Oman citizens over the age of 21 can vote in the elections. In 2007, Sultan Qaboos issued an edict further lifting restrictions on the eligibility of candidates for membership in the Consultative Council. In October 2011, Sultan Qaboos promulgated the revised Basic Law of the People's Republic of China, which gave the Consultative Council greater powers, including the power to amend and make recommendations on laws, budgets, treaties, audit reports, etc., as well as the power to supervise and question government departments. The President of the Consultative Conference was also appointed by the Sudan and replaced by direct election of the members of the Consultative Conference. At the end of October 2023, the Consultative Council held a general election (10th) to elect a total of 90 members for a four-year term of office renewable for a renewable term. Khalid Bin Hilal Al Ma'awali ·was elected in October 2011 ·· Khalid Bin Hilal Al Ma'awali and has been re-elected since October 2011.
In November 1996, Sultan Qaboos issued an edict promulgating the Basic Law of the State (equivalent to the Constitution), which regulates the State and form of government, the guiding principles of State policy, the rights and duties of citizens, the powers of the Head of State, the duties of the Cabinet and its members, the Oman Commission and the functioning of the judicial system. In October 2011, Sultan Qaboos issued an edict amending the Basic Law of the People's Republic of China, which further stipulates the succession to the Sultan's throne and the powers of the Consultative Council. In January 2021, Sultan Haitham issued an edict amending the Basic Law of the State to establish a system of crown princes with the eldest son succeeding to the throne.
¡¾Government¡¿ The Cabinet is the highest executive body of the state authorized by the Sudan, and its members are appointed by the Sudan. In June 2022, the Oman Cabinet completed its second reshuffle after the succession of the new Sudan, with a total of 23 members, including 3 female members, mainly including: Deputy Prime Minister Fahd · Ben · Mah·moud Al-Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Shehab · Ben · Taliq · Shihab Bin Tarik Al-Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth Ziazan · · Haitham · Ben · Tarig· Theyazan Bin Haitham Bin Tarik Al-Said, Home Secretary Hammad ··· Hamoud Faisal Al-Busaidi, Foreign Secretary Badr Bin ·· · Badr Bin Hamad Al-Busaidi, Energy and Minerals Secretary Salem · ·Salem Bin Nasser· Salem Bin Nasser Al-Aufi) and others.
¡¾Administrative Divisions¡¿ It is divided into 11 provinces (Muscat, Dhofar, Musandam, Blamy, North Central Province, South Central Province, Dahile Province, Interior Province, Southeast Province, Northeast Province, and Central Province). There are 61 states in the province.
¡¾Judiciary¡¿ The Government has established the Ministry of Justice, Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, which is in charge of judicial and religious affairs. There are 47 tribunals throughout the country, with courts of appeal in the capital and in some states.
¡¾Important Figures¡¿ Haitham · Ben · Tariq · Sultan of Al Saeed. Born in Oman in October 1955, former cousin of Sultan Qaboos. From 1986 to 1994, he was Undersecretary for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2002, and Minister of Culture and Heritage from 2002 to January 2020. He succeeded to Sudan on 11 January 2020.
Fahd · bin · Mahmoud · Al Said: Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Affairs. Born in 1940, he was a distant cousin of Sultan Haitham Sultan. He graduated in economics from Cairo University in Egypt in 1965 and went to France to study political science. When Sultan Qaboos came to power in 1970, he served as the first Minister of Foreign Affairs, and later as Minister of Culture, Tourism and Information. In May 1979, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs. In January 1994, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Affairs. He visited China in September 2005. In December 2022, President Xi Jinping met with Fahd on the sidelines of the first China-Arab States Summit and the first China-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.
Shehab · Ben · Tariq · Al Said: Deputy Prime Minister for Defence. Born in 1956, the younger brother of Sultan Haitham From 1990 to 2004, he was Commander of the Royal Oman Navy, from 2004 to March 2020 he was an adviser to the Sudan and Chairman of the Scientific Research Council, and in March 2020 he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister for Defence.
¡¾Economy¡¿ The oil and gas industry is the pillar industry of Oman, accounting for 68% of the country's fiscal revenue and 41% of GDP. The industry is mainly based on oil exploitation, and in recent years, attention has been paid to the natural gas industry. We should pursue a free and open economic policy, use oil revenues to vigorously develop the national economy, strive to attract foreign investment, introduce technology, and encourage private investment. In order to gradually change the dependence of the national economy on oil, diversify the sources of fiscal revenue and achieve sustainable economic development, the Oman government has vigorously promoted industrial diversification, employment Oman and privatization of the economy, increased investment in infrastructure construction, and expanded the participation of private capital. Agriculture is underdeveloped, and food is mainly imported. Fishery resources are abundant, is a Oman traditional industry, in addition to meeting domestic demand, can also be exported, is one of the main sources of Oman non-oil product export income.
¡¾Resources¡¿ In the 60s of the 20th century, oil extraction began. By the end of 2022, Oman had proven oil reserves of about 650 million tons (4.8 billion barrels), with annual production of about 51 million tons (388 million barrels) and an average daily production of about 1.06 million barrels. The proven natural gas reserves are about 0.7 trillion cubic meters, and the annual output is 32.3 billion cubic meters. In addition to oil and gas, mineral resources found in Oman include copper, gold, silver, chromium, iron, manganese, magnesium, coal, limestone, marble, gypsum, phosphate, quartz stone, kaolin, etc. The specific situation is: copper ore reserves of about 15 million tons, chrome ore reserves of about 2.5 million tons, iron ore reserves of about 120 million tons, manganese ore reserves of about 1.5 million tons, coal reserves of about 122 million tons, limestone reserves of about 300 million tons, marble reserves of about 150 million tons, gypsum reserves of about 1.2 billion tons, etc.
¡¾Industry¡¿ The oil and gas industry is the mainstay, and other industries started late. The industrial projects are mainly petrochemical, ironmaking, fertilizer, plastics, cast pipes, etc. Except for a few large enterprises such as oil refineries, cement factories and flour mills, which are invested and operated by the government, the others are private small and medium-sized enterprises, mainly engaged in the production of non-metallic minerals, wood processing, food, textiles, etc.
¡¾Agriculture¡¿ Agriculture, animal husbandry and fishery play an important role in the non-oil industry of the national economy, which can meet 47.6% of the domestic demand for grain and 69% of animal feed. However, agriculture is generally underdeveloped, with about 100,000 hectares of arable land in the country, and 73,000 hectares of cultivated land, mainly growing fruits and vegetables such as dates, lemons, and bananas. The main food crops are wheat, barley, and sorghum, and they are not self-sufficient. Fishery is rich in resources and is a traditional industry, which can be exported in addition to meeting domestic needs, and is one of the main sources of export income from non-oil products.
¡¾Transportation¡¿ Transportation mainly relies on roads.
Highways: The total mileage of asphalt roads is 35,522 kilometers, and the total mileage of dirt roads is 1,222 kilometers.
Water transport: The main ports are Muscat Qaboos Sultan Port, Sohar Port, Salalah Port, Duqm Port, Al Hasab Port, etc. Among them, the Port of Sultan of Muscat Qaboos has been transformed into a tourist port; The ports of Sohar and Salalah are mainly engaged in freight business such as containers; The ports of Doqm and Al Ha'sab are still under construction. In addition, Oman National Ferry operates a number of passenger routes between Musandam province (Oman's enclave), Masira Island (Oman's largest island) and Oman mainland.
Air Transport: Oman Airlines, established in May 1981, is a public-private partnership that is mainly responsible for domestic passenger and cargo transportation. In recent years, Oman Air has continued to expand its international business and has successively opened routes from Muscat to London, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. Civil airports mainly include Muscat International Airport, Salalah International Airport, Sohar Airport, etc.
Oil pipelines: There are 279 kilometers of pipelines from the mainland oil fields to the port of Fakhr, with an unpressurized flow rate of 725,000 barrels per day.
¡¾Foreign Trade¡¿ The main exports are oil and natural gas, accounting for about 68% of the total national fiscal revenue, and non-oil exports include copper, chemical products, fish, dates, fruits and vegetables. Mainly exported to U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, India, China and other countries. Imported machinery, means of transportation, food and manufactured goods, mainly from the U.A.E. (re-export), China, India, United States, etc.
Foreign capital: Foreign capital is mainly invested in oil exploration and finance. The United Kingdom and the Gulf States are the main investors.
¡¾People's Life¡¿ The state implements free medical care. The average life expectancy of residents is 76.6 years. Oman has more than 70 hospitals and 203 health centers; There were 423,000 fixed and 6,866,300 fixed and mobile telephones nationwide, respectively. There were 269,500 Internet users. The private homeownership rate in the country has reached the highest level in the world.
Compulsory military service is practiced. Sultan Haitham was the supreme commander of the armed forces. Oman is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council and coordinates with other members of the organization in the area of military defence. The total strength is 43,500. Among them, there are 25,000 in the army, 4,200 in the navy, 4,100 in the air force, 5,500 in the Sudanese Guard, 1,000 in the Sudanese special forces, and 4,400 in tribal and militia forces.
[Education] The system of free education shall be implemented. Literacy and adult education are carried out nationwide, with 1,642 schools of all types, with 690,000 students and 14 literacy centres. Opened in September 1986, Sultan Qaboos University is Oman's highest university with an enrollment of about 15,000 students.
¡¾News and Publication¡¿ There are more than 30 kinds of newspapers and periodicals in the country, mainly including: "Oman Daily", with a daily circulation of about 40,000 copies; The Observer, with a daily circulation of about 22,000 copies, and The Fatherland, a semi-official background, an Arabic daily newspaper; Oman Tribune, private, English-language daily newspaper.
Oman News Agency: Official news agency, established in May 1986 with its headquarters in Muscat.
Radio of the Sultanate of Oman: founded in Muscat in 1970. Radio Salalah was established in 1974 and later merged into Radio of the Sultanate of Oman. In 1979, an artificial satellite ground receiving station was built. In 1982, FM radio began to broadcast 12 hours a day. Since 1998, the station's Arabic integrated channel has been broadcasting 24 hours a day to all parts of Oman.
Oman Television: Oman's state-run and largest television station, founded in 1974 with 4 channels.
¡¾Foreign Relations¡¿ Pursue a foreign policy of non-alignment, good-neighborliness, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. It is committed to maintaining security and stability in the Gulf region, actively participating in regional affairs, and advocating resolving differences between countries through dialogue and peaceful means. It has close relations with United States, United Kingdom, India and Germany, and at the same time carries out diversified diplomacy.