Country

 sultanate of Oman

  Capital

Muscat

  Head of State

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said
For more information visit : www.oman-qaboos.net

  Location

The Sultanate of Oman is situated on 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.

  Area

The sultanate encompasses an area of 309500 sq kms

  Population

Approximately 2,331,391 (2003 Census). Around 1.5 million are Omani nationals. The remaining are expatriates from India, Asia, other Arab countries, Europe and USA
For more information visit :www.omancensus.net

  Airport

Muscat international airport serves many international airlines such as British Airways, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Swiss Air and Emirates. The national carrier is Oman Air, which flies to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, and Sri Lanka as well as performing domestic flights to Salalah, Masirah Island and Musandam.
For more information visit : www.omanairports.com

  Religion

Islam, predominantly Ibadhi sect.

  Ramadan

For one month a year, Muslim abstains from eating, drinking and smoking from dawn to dusk. Although non –Muslims are not expected to fast, they are expected to show respect by not doing any of there things in public.

  Natural resources

Petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas.
For more information visit : www.mone.gov.om

  Density of population

8.8 per square kilometer

  Time

Four hours ahead of  GMT

  Country dialling code

+968

  Currency

RO.1  =  US$ 2,6   ( 385.0 Biza = US $ 1)

  The Omani Flag

The flag is in three colours: white to symbolise peace and prosperity, red for the battles fought by the Omani people to expel foreign invaders during their long history, and green to represent the country's fertility and agriculture. The swords and Khanjar (dagger) have been used as the country's emblem since the middle of the eighteenth century.

  Credit Cards

Credit cards such as American Express, Visa MasterCard and Diners club are available through global network branches and accepted in shopping area.

  Electricity

220 Volt

  National Day

Falls on November 18th every year (two day holiday later in the same month).

  Shopping Hours

09:00 - 013:00 and 16:30 - 24:00.

  Official holidays

Hijra New Year                   1 day – 1st Moharrum
Prophet Birthday                1 day – 12th Rabi Al Awai
Isra & Meiraj                      1 day – 27th Rajab
Eid Al Fitr                           4 days – 1st-4th Shawal
Eid Al Adha                        3 to 5 days-9th to 13th Al Hijjrah
National Day                      2 days
weekly day off Friday ( Also Thursday for Government & Banks also Saturday )

  Official Working Hours

Saturday to Wednesday: 7:30 am to 2:30 pm with exception to Ramadhan during which work starts at (9 am to 2 pm).
Private sector`s official working hours from Saturday to Thursday (according to company system) (with exception to the Banking sector, some companies and Capital Market).

  Local Transport

The state-owned bus company, ONTC has the franchise to operate public services throughout the Sultanate . It also contract out some of its fleet for short-term charters over 20 million km per year and has an annual replacement programme for its fleet with the most modern vehicles available.

Taxi service run by the private sector are also well developed and there is an excellent network of minibuses operating as services taxis linking up the major center of population.

Comfort Line : 968 24702191
Hello taxi : 968 24607011

For more information visit : www.ontcoman.com

  Health & Medical Care

No compulsory immunizations are required to enter Oman

  Water

Tap water is desalinated, and although it’s safe to drink, its not recommended .Mineral water is commonly consumed in hotel and restaurants, and can be purchased in most grocery stores, gas stations and supermarkets.

  Costumes

Arab and Islamic culture is dominant in Oman and it affects the general feature of life style, however there are other cultural styles as Oman attracts various norms of life. But men and women have to be abiding by wearing descent clothes in markets and public places.

  Road Services

Well maintained highways link every major city in Oman .Information relating to Car Rental facilities (International Driving License requires) and Bus Tours are available on travel agencies and with tourist guide.