{"id":7887,"date":"2021-06-02T04:00:27","date_gmt":"2021-06-02T04:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smoketreemanor.com\/?p=7887"},"modified":"2021-06-02T19:08:37","modified_gmt":"2021-06-02T19:08:37","slug":"oman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smoketreemanor.com\/oman\/","title":{"rendered":"Oman"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/h2>\n

Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is a country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula<\/a> in Western Asia and the oldest independent state in the Arab world. Located in a strategically important position at the mouth of the Persian Gulf<\/a>, the country shares land borders with the United Arab Emirates<\/a> to the northwest, Saudi Arabia<\/a> to the west, and Yemen<\/a> to the southwest, and shares marine borders with Iran<\/a> and Pakistan<\/a>. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea<\/a> on the southeast and the Gulf of Oman<\/a> on the northeast. The Madha<\/a> and Musandam<\/a> exclaves are surrounded by the UAE on their land borders, with the Strait of Hormuz<\/a> (which it shares with Iran) and the Gulf of Oman forming Musandam’s coastal boundaries.<\/p>\n

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Oman on the Globe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the late 17th century, the Omani Sultanate was a powerful empire<\/a>, vying with the Portuguese Empire and the British Empire for influence in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. At its peak in the 19th century, Omani influence or control extended across the Strait of Hormuz to modern-day Iran and Pakistan, and as far south as Zanzibar<\/a>. When its power declined in the 20th century, the sultanate came under the influence of the United Kingdom. For over 300 years, the relations built between the two empires were based on mutual benefits. The UK recognized Oman’s geographical importance as a trading hub that secured their trading lanes in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean and protected their empire in the Indian sub-continent. Historically, Muscat was the principal trading port of the Persian Gulf region. Muscat was also among the most important trading ports of the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n

Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said<\/a> was the hereditary leader of the country, which is an absolute monarchy, from 1970 until his death on 10 January 2020. His cousin, Haitham bin Tariq<\/a>, was named as the country’s new ruler following his death.<\/p>\n

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Map of Oman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oman is a member of the United Nations<\/a>, the Arab League<\/a>, the Gulf Cooperation Council<\/a>, the Non-Aligned Movement<\/a> and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation<\/a>. It has sizeable oil reserves, ranking 25th globally. In 2010, the United Nations Development Programme ranked Oman as the most improved nation in the world in terms of development during the preceding 40 years. A significant portion of its economy involves tourism and trading fish, dates and other agricultural produce. Oman is categorized as a high-income economy and ranks as the 69th most peaceful country in the world according to the Global Peace Index<\/a>.<\/p>\n

History:<\/h2>\n

Prehistory:<\/h3>\n

Archeological evidence in Oman points to human habitation dating back to the Late Pleistocene.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Archaeological Sites in Ad Dhahirah<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is believed that the Yaarubah were the first settlers in Oman from Yemen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arab Settlement:<\/h3>\n

Over centuries tribes from western Arabia settled in Oman, making a living by fishing, farming, herding or stock breeding, and many present day Omani families trace their ancestral roots to other parts of Arabia.<\/p>\n

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Ruins of Khor Rori, Built Between 100 BCE & 100 CE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arab migration to Oman started from northern-western and south-western Arabia and those who chose to settle had to compete with the indigenous population for the best arable land.<\/p>\n

Imamate of Oman:<\/h3>\n

The first elective Imamate of Oman<\/a> is believed to have been established shortly after the fall of the Umayyad Dynasty<\/a> in 750\/755 AD when Janah bin Abbada Alhinawi was elected.<\/p>\n

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Imamate of Oman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first Imamate reached its peak power in the ninth A.D. century. The Imamate established a maritime empire whose fleet controlled the Gulf during the time when trade with the Abbasid Dynasty<\/a>, the East and Africa flourished. The authority of the Imams started to decline due to power struggles, the constant interventions of Abbasid and the rise of the Seljuk Empire<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Nabhani Dynasty:<\/h3>\n

During the 11th and 12th centuries, Oman was controlled by the Seljuk Empire. They were expelled in 1154, when the Nabhani dynasty came to power.<\/p>\n

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Bahla Fort Built by the Nabhani dynasty.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Nabhanis ruled as muluk, or kings, while the Imams were reduced to largely symbolic significance. The Nabhani dynasty started to deteriorate in 1507 when Portuguese colonizers captured the coastal city of Muscat, and gradually extended their control along the coast.<\/p>\n

Portuguese Occupation:<\/h3>\n

A decade after Vasco da Gama’s<\/a> successful voyage around the Cape of Good Hope<\/a> and to India in 1497\u201398, the Portuguese arrived in Oman and occupied Muscat for a 143-year period, from 1507 to 1650.<\/p>\n

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Portuguese Ships in Oman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In need of an outpost to protect their sea lanes, the Portuguese built up and fortified the city, where remnants of their Portuguese architectural style still exist. Later, several more Omani cities were colonized in the early 16th century by the Portuguese, to control the entrances of the Persian Gulf and trade in the region as part of a web of fortresses in the region, from Basra<\/a> to Hormuz<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Yaruba Dynasty:<\/h3>\n

During the 17th century, the Omanis were reunited by the Yaruba Imams<\/a>. Nasir bin Murshid became the first Yaarubah Imam in 1624, when he was elected in Rustak. Imam Nasir succeeded in the 1650s to force the Portuguese colonizers out of Oman. The Omanis over time established a maritime empire that later expelled the Portuguese from East Africa, which became an Omani colony. The rivalry within the house of Yaruba over power after the death of Imam Sultan in 1718 weakened the dynasty. With the power of the Yaruba Dynasty dwindling, Imam Saif bin Sultan II<\/a> eventually asked for help against his rivals from Nader Shah of Persia<\/a>. A Persian force arrived in March 1737 to aid Saif. From their base at Julfar, the Persian forces eventually rebelled against the Yaruba in 1743. The Persian empire then colonized Oman for a short period until 1747.<\/p>\n

British de facto Colonization:<\/h3>\n

The British empire was keen to dominate southeast Arabia to stifle the growing power of other European states and to curb the Omani maritime power that grew during the 17th century. The British empire over time, starting from the late 18th century, began to establish a series of treaties with the sultans with the objective of advancing British political and economic interest in Muscat, while granting the sultans military protection. In 1798, the first treaty between the British East India Company<\/a> and Albusaidi family was signed by Sultan bin Ahmed. The treaty was to block commercial competition of the French and the Dutch as well as obtain a concession to build a British factory at Bandar Abbas. A second treaty was signed in 1800, which stipulated that a British representative shall reside at the port of Muscat and manage all external affairs with other states. The British influence that grew during the nineteenth century over Muscat weakened the Omani Empire.<\/p>\n

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Sultan’s Palace Zanzibar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Zanzibar was a valuable property as the main slave market of the Swahili Coast, and became an increasingly important part of the Omani empire, a fact reflected by the decision of the 19th century sultan of Muscat, Sa’id ibn Sultan<\/a>, to make it his main place of residence in 1837. In 1856, under British direction, Zanzibar and Muscat became two different sultanates.<\/p>\n

Reign of Sultan Said (1932\u20131970):<\/h3>\n

Said bin Taimur<\/a> became the sultan of Muscat officially on 10 February 1932. The rule of sultan Said bin Taimur, who was backed by the British government, was characterized as being feudal, reactionary and isolationist.<\/p>\n

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Said bin Taimur<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The British government maintained vast administrative control over the Sultanate as the defense secretary and chief of intelligence, chief adviser to the sultan and all ministers except for one were British.<\/p>\n

Dhofar Rebellion:<\/h3>\n

Oil reserves in Dhofar were discovered in 1964 and extraction began in 1967. In the Dhofar Rebellion<\/a>, which began in 1965, pro-Soviet forces were pitted against government troops.<\/p>\n

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Dhofar Governorate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the rebellion threatened the Sultan’s control of Dhofar, Sultan Said bin Taimur was deposed in a bloodless coup (1970)<\/a> by his son Qaboos bin Said, who expanded the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces, modernized the state’s administration and introduced social reforms. The uprising was finally put down in 1975 with the help of forces from Iran, Jordan, Pakistan and the British Royal Air Force, army and Special Air Service.<\/p>\n

Reign of Sultan Qaboos (1970\u20132020):<\/h3>\n

After deposing his father in 1970, Sultan Qaboos opened up the country, embarked on economic reforms, and followed a policy of modernization marked by increased spending on health, education and welfare. Slavery, once a cornerstone of the country’s trade and development, was outlawed in 1970.<\/p>\n

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Sultan Qaboos bin Said<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inspired by the Arab Spring<\/a> uprisings that were taking place throughout the region, protests occurred in Oman<\/a> during the early months of 2011. While they did not call for the ousting of the regime, demonstrators demanded political reforms, improved living conditions and the creation of more jobs. They were dispersed by riot police in February 2011. Sultan Qaboos reacted by promising jobs and benefits.<\/p>\n

Qaboos died on 10 January 2020, and the government declared three days of national mourning. He was buried the next day.<\/p>\n

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Haitham bin Tariq<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On 11 January 2020, Qaboos was succeeded by his first cousin Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said.<\/a><\/p>\n

Geography:<\/h2>\n

A vast gravel desert plain covers most of central Oman, with mountain ranges along the north (Al Hajar Mountains<\/a>) and southeast coast (Qara or Dhofar Mountains<\/a>), where the country’s main cities are located: the capital city Muscat<\/a>, Sohar and Sur<\/a> in the north, and Salalah in the south. Oman’s climate is hot and dry in the interior and humid along the coast. During past epochs, Oman was covered by ocean, as evidenced by the large numbers of fossilized shells found in areas of the desert away from the modern coastline.<\/p>\n

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Topographic Map of Oman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The peninsula of Musandam<\/a> (Musandem) exclave, which is strategically located on the Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, is separated from the rest of Oman by the United Arab Emirates<\/a>. Oman’s other exclave, inside UAE territory, known as Madha<\/a>, located halfway between the Musandam Peninsula and the main body of Oman, is part of the Musandam governorate, covering approximately 75 km2 (29 sq mi). Madha’s boundary was settled in 1969, with the north-east corner of Madha barely 10 m (32.8 ft) from the Fujairah<\/a> road. Within the Madha exclave is a UAE enclave called Nahwa<\/a>, belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah<\/a>, situated about 8 km (5 mi) along a dirt track west of the town of New Madha, and consisting of about forty houses with a clinic and telephone exchange.<\/p>\n

Economy:<\/h2>\n

By regional standards, Oman has a relatively diversified economy, but remains dependent on oil exports. In terms of monetary value, mineral fuels accounted for 82.2 percent of total product exports in 2018. Tourism is the fastest-growing industry in Oman.<\/p>\n

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Oman Export Treemap<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other sources of income, agriculture and industry, are small in comparison and account for less than 1% of the country’s exports, but diversification is seen as a priority by the government. Agriculture, often subsistence in its character, produces dates, limes, grains and vegetables, but with less than 1% of the country under cultivation, Oman is likely to remain a net importer of food.<\/p>\n

Transportation:<\/h2>\n

Oman has two expressway grade highways, with the first 8 lane expressway set to open in 2017.<\/p>\n

Other roads in Muscat Governorate and some cities such as Sohar<\/a> and Salalah<\/a> are dual-carriageways, with four or six lanes each with a speed limit ranging from 60 to 120 km\/h; while in the rest of Oman, the roads are mostly single-carriageways.<\/p>\n

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Oman Road Map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are no mainline railways in Oman, but some are planned, including links to adjacent countries.<\/p>\n

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Muscat International<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Airports with scheduled air service:<\/p>\n