Factfile: Sultanate of Oman

By Euronews

Published on 15/08/2013 - 15:32

GENERAL Population: 3,219,775 Capital: Muscat Area: 309.

Regional capital: Salalah is the country’s second largest city, 1,040 kilometres away from the capital
The region covers one third of Oman’s land area and forms the Sultanate’s southern part
The region is famous for its frankincense and myrrh
From early June to early September the region is touched by monsoons

The 6,000 year-old desert is the original homeland of the Bedouins
The dunes are up to 200 metres high and cover a total area of about 10,000 square kilometres

Is also called “Green Mountain” and known for its Mediterranean climate
Rises to an altitude of 2,980 metres
Produces a variety of fruits, including pomegranates, apricots, plums, figs, grapes, apples and pears, as well as almonds, walnuts, saffron and the famous roses

The nature reserve Bandar Khayran is located 25 kilometres southeast of Muscat
This lagoon is surrounded by rocks which are up to 250 million years old
Bandar Khayran has a unique ecosystem due to mangroves that provide the habitat and food for many animals
In Bandar Khayran can be found 200 different types of fish and 45 different type of coral reefs

Ras Al Hadd and Ras Al Jinz, the easternmost points of the Arabian Peninsula, are one oft the most important nesting sites for the endangered green turtle wordwide
Around 30,000 green turtles return to Oman’s coast annually to lay their eggs
Only one to two out of 1,000 baby turtles will survive
Once they reached maturity at the age of 25 they return always to the very same beach where they were born
The average life span of a green sea turtle is over 80 years

Sur used to be an important shipbuilding centre of vessels like the dhow that crossed the oceans
Has played an important role in maritime commercial activity across the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Sea of Oman

Originally, Bahla Fort was built in the third millennium BC
Biggest mud brick fort in the country
The fort has been part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1987
Bahla is an outstanding example of a fortified oasis settlement of the medieval Islamic period

Evidence of human settlement in the Muscat area dates back to 6,000 BC which makes it one of the oldest cities in the Middle East
1507 conquered by the Portuguese, 1650 freed by Sultan bin Saif
Muscat became the capital of Oman in 1793
Qaboos bin Said became Sultan of Oman in 1970

Built from 300,000 tonnes of Indian sandstone the construction took six years, opened in 2001
The mosque’s total capacity is 20,000 worshipers
One of the main features is a single piece Persian carpet measuring 70×60 metres composed of 1,700 million knots and weighs 21 tons
In the centre of the main prayer hall hangs a 14 meters high Swarovski crystal chandelier with more than 1,100 light bulls