The Sultanate of Oman occupies the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula and is located between latitudes 16° 40' and 26° 20' North and Longitudes 51° 50' and 59° 40' East. The coastline extends 1,700km from the Strait of Hormuz in the north, to the borders of the Republic of Yemen in the south and overlooks three seas - the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The Sultanate of Oman borders Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the West; the Republic of Yemen in the South; the Strait of Hormuz in the North and the Arabian Sea in the East. The total land area is approximately 309,500km2 and it is the third largest country in the Arabian Peninsula. |
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Topography
The Sultanate of Oman has a variety of topographical features consisting of plains, wadis and mountains. The most important area is the coastal plain, which represents about 3% of the total land area. The mountain ranges occupy about 15%. The Hajar range runs from Musandam in the North to Ras al-Hadd, the extreme limit of the Arabian Peninsula. In the South, the Qara range attracts the monsoon, which brings unique weather conditions and creates a special environment in Dhofar. The remaining area, which occupies 82% of the country, is mainly sand and gravel desert and includes part of the Empty Quarter. |
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| Climate
The climate differs from one area to another. It is hot and humid in the coastal areas in summer while it is hot and dry in the Interior with the exception of the higher mountains, which enjoy a moderate climate throughout the year. Rainfall is generally light and irregular although heavy rain and thunderstorms can cause severe flooding. In the south, the Dhofar region has a moderate climate and the pattern of rainfall is more predictable with heavy monsoon rains occurring regularly between May and September. |
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Muscat
The Capital area now extends from the town of Seeb in the north to the fishing port of Quriyat in the south. With its commercial centres, industrial areas, Government offices, foreign embassies and hotels, the Governorate of Muscat is the most densely populated and developed part of Oman. |
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| Al-Batinah
The Batinah is the area between the sea and the mountains running some 270km from the border with the UAE to Muscat. Traditionally, it was a fishing and farming region, but is now becoming more commercial and industrialised, in line with the policy of economic diversification, with projects embracing a wide variety of enterprises, many of which are located in designated industrial areas. It is one of the most densely populated areas of Oman. Behind the Batinah stretch the Western Hajar mountains running parallel to the coast with the highest peaks reaching over 3000m. The principal town is al-Rustaq which was once the capital of Oman. |
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Al-Jauf
The al-Jauf central plateau that stretches from the foot of the Jebel al-Akhdar south to the desert is the heartland of Oman and contains the historic towns of Nizwa, Bahla, Manah, Adam and Izki. |
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| Sumail Gap
The Sumail Gap forms a natural break between the Eastern and Western Hajar mountain ranges and thus forms the main artery of communication from the coast to the interior. The oil and gas pipelines run through the Gap, in which there are many small settlements as well as the major centres at Sumail, Bidbid and Fanjah. |
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Al-Dhahirah
The Dhahirah, meaning the 'back' as opposed to the Batinah or 'belly' of the mountain is a semi-desert plain sloping down from the Western Hajar towards the Empty Quarter. In the north it meets the UAE at the border town of al-Buraimi. The other main towns are Ibri, Dhank and Yanqul. |
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| Al-Sharqiya
The Sharqiya is an area of sandy plains and wadis lying on the inland side of the Eastern Hajar mountain range. The main centres of population are Ibra and Sur. To the south lie the Wahiba Sands and along the coast, small fishing communities, and the islands of Masirah and Mahawt. |
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Al-Wusta
The central region is a gravel desert with escarpments running down to the coast, where the main occupation is fishing. Inland lie Oman's oil and gas and mineral deposits. It also contains the Arabian Oryx sanctuary. The main settlements are at Haima and al-Duqm. |
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| Dhofar
Dhofar occupies the southern part of Oman. The main town is Salalah which lies on the fertile coastal plain and the principal occupations of the inhabitants are fishing and agriculture. Raysut, to the west of Salalah, is Oman's second port and is also the location for a new industrial area. The Dhofar mountain range with its unique climate provides valuable pasture for cattle, camels and goats. Offshore, the Halaniyat Islands support a small fishing community. |
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Musandam
Musandam is a spectacular feature with mountains rising up to 1,800m and falling precipitately into the sea. Once forming an almost impenetrable barrier it is now being linked with the rest of Oman by a modern road network. The main centres are Khasab and Bukha and the major commercial activity is fishing. |
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