Oman
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Name: The Sultanate of Oman Introduction: In ancient history the region of Oman was known principally for its copper mining and was controled by Persians and later by Portugese from 1508. Then in 1648 Oman was seized by Nazir bin Murshid and it has been independent country since then.But from 1891 to 1971 it was put under British control, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased with the time, but it never became a British colony. Having control of the country's military, the British helped subdue rebel tribesmen in the 1950s, driving most into Yemenand in 1970, QABOOS bin Said al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of his father with the help of British and Oman has been an Absolute monarchy since then. Location: South eastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. Borders: In Northwest United Arab Emirates, In West Saudi Arabia, In Southwest Yemen, In South east Arabian Sea and in North east Gulf of Oman. Terrain: Rugged highlands and a fertile coastal plain are in the North and in the South also the coast in fertile. In between these plains there is a barren dry plateau. Oman also holds the lip of Masaudam peninsula, controlling the strait of Hormuz which is separated from the rest of the country by United Arab Emirate territory. Climate: Most of the country is dry desert, hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior, strong southwest summer monsoon from May to September in far south. Annual rainfall in northern high lands have is 10 to 20 inches. Ethnic Group: 90% of the people are Arabs rest are Africans, Indians, Iranians and Pakistani. Religion: Islam is the predominant religion and the largest religious minority is the Hindus, who account for 13% of the population. Ibadhi Muslim is 75% and other including Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu are 25%. Area: 212,460 sq km Coastline: 2,092 km Capital: Muscat Currency: Omani Rial (OMR) Life Expectancy: 73.62 years (2007 est.) Population: 3,204,897 ( July 2007 est) Population Growth Rate: 3.234% (2007 est.) Language: Arabic is the official language and English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects are also spoken there. Literacy: Total - 75.8%, male - 83.1% and female - 67.2%. Internet TLD: .om Calling Code: +968 Nationality: Omani Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) Government: Absolute monarchy Constitution: Sultan Qaboos on 6 November 1996 issued a royal decree which promulgated a basic law considered by the government to be a constitution which clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for all Omani citizens. Executive Branch: Sultan and Prime minister is Chief of State. The Monarch is the chief and also the head of the government. Cabinet is appointed by the Monarch. Legislative Branch: Bicameral Majlis Oman which consists of an Upper Chamber or Majlis al-Dawla with 58 seats and the members are appointed by the monarch who has advisory powers only. A Lower Chamber or Majlis al-Shura with 84 seats whose members are elected by popular vote for four-year terms. In 1997, Sultan Qabus granted women the right to be elected to the country's consultative body, Majlis al-Shura. Judiciary Branch: Supreme Court is the highest court. Military Branch: It includes the Royal Omani Armed Forces: Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, and Royal Air Force of Oman (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat Oman, RAFO). Legal System: It is based on English common law and Islamic law and the ultimate appeal to the monarch, has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction. Suffrage: 21 years of age but the members of the military and security forces are not allowed to vote. National Flag: The national flag has three horizontal bands of white (signifies peace and prosperity), red ( meaning battles against invaders), and green(signifies fertility and green mountains) of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side and the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top on left side. National Anthem: Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani National Holiday: Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940) Coat of Arm: It consists of the traditional symbol of the country; The National Emblem of Oman which consists of a khanjar dagger in a sheath is superimposed upon two crossed swords. Economy: Beginning of Oil production in 1967 transformed Oman from a poor country to the Seventh richest country in the Arab world. Oman joined the World Trade Organization in November 2000 and its economic performance improved significantly in 2000 due to large upturn in oil prices and the government is moving ahead with privatization of its utilities, the development of a body of commercial law to facilitate foreign investment, and increased budgetary outlays. In 2006 Oman and the U.S. has signed a free-trade deal which will help in the growth of countrys economy. GDP Total: $40.923 (2005 est) GDP Per capita: $14,100 (2006 est) GDP Growth Rate: 6.6% (2006 est) Agriculture: Dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables, camels, cattle and fish. Industries: Crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals and optic fiber. Export: Petroleum, reexports, fish, metals and textiles. Import: Machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and livestock, lubricants. |