| Oman (2001) | Oman (2001) | |
|  |  | |
| Administrative divisions | 6 regions (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah) and 2 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*, Zufar*; note - the US Embassy in Oman reports that Masqat is a governorate, but this has not been confirmed by the US Board of Geographic Names (BGN) | 6 regions (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah) and 2 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*, Zufar*; note - the US Embassy in Oman reports that Masqat is a governorate, but this has not been confirmed by the US Board of Geographic Names (BGN) | 
| Age structure | 0-14 years: 41.51% (male 554,727; female 533,627) 15-64 years: 56.12% (male 894,978; female 576,672) 65 years and over: 2.37% (male 32,863; female 29,331) (2001 est.) | 0-14 years: 41.51% (male 554,727; female 533,627) 15-64 years: 56.12% (male 894,978; female 576,672) 65 years and over: 2.37% (male 32,863; female 29,331) (2001 est.) | 
| Agriculture - products | dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish | dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish | 
| Airports | 143 (2000 est.) | 143 (2000 est.) | 
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2000 est.) | total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2000 est.) | 
| Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 137 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 56 914 to 1,523 m: 37 under 914 m: 36 (2000 est.) | total: 137 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 56 914 to 1,523 m: 37 under 914 m: 36 (2000 est.) | 
| Area | total: 212,460 sq km land: 212,460 sq km water: 0 sq km | total: 212,460 sq km land: 212,460 sq km water: 0 sq km | 
| Area - comparative | slightly smaller than Kansas | slightly smaller than Kansas | 
| Background | In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. | In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries. | 
| Birth rate | 37.96 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) | 37.96 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) | 
| Budget | revenues: $4.7 billion expenditures: $5.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $490 million (1999) | revenues: $4.7 billion expenditures: $5.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $490 million (1999) | 
| Capital | Muscat | Muscat | 
| Climate | dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south | dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south | 
| Coastline | 2,092 km | 2,092 km | 
| Constitution | none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a new basic law which, among other things, 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 Omani citizens | none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a new basic law which, among other things, 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 Omani citizens | 
| Country name | conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman conventional short form: Oman local long form: Saltanat Uman local short form: Uman former: Muscat and Oman | conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman conventional short form: Oman local long form: Saltanat Uman local short form: Uman former: Muscat and Oman | 
| Currency | Omani rial (OMR) | Omani rial (OMR) | 
| Death rate | 4.1 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) | 4.1 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) | 
| Debt - external | $4.5 billion (2000 est.) | $4.5 billion (2000 est.) | 
| Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: Ambassador John B. CRAIG embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat mailing address: international: P. O. Box 202, Code No. 115, Medinat Al-Sultan Qaboos, Muscat telephone: [968] 698989 FAX: [968] 699189 | chief of mission: Ambassador John B. CRAIG embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat mailing address: international: P. O. Box 202, Code No. 115, Medinat Al-Sultan Qaboos, Muscat telephone: [968] 698989 FAX: [968] 699189 | 
| Diplomatic representation in the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Abdallah bin Muhammad bin Aqil al-DHAHAB chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988 FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933 | chief of mission: Ambassador Abdallah bin Muhammad bin Aqil al-DHAHAB chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988 FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933 | 
| Disputes - international | boundary with the UAE has not been bilaterally defined; northern section in the Musandam Peninsula is an administrative boundary | boundary with the UAE has not been bilaterally defined; northern section in the Musandam Peninsula is an administrative boundary | 
| Economic aid - recipient | $76.4 million (1995) | $76.4 million (1995) | 
| Economy - overview | Oman's economic performance improved significantly in 2000 due largely to the upturn in oil prices. 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. Oman continues to liberalize its markets and joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in November 2000. | Oman's economic performance improved significantly in 2000 due largely to the upturn in oil prices. 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. Oman continues to liberalize its markets and joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in November 2000. | 
| Electricity - consumption | 8.026 billion kWh (1999) | 8.026 billion kWh (1999) | 
| Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (1999) | 0 kWh (1999) | 
| Electricity - imports | 0 kWh (1999) | 0 kWh (1999) | 
| Electricity - production | 8.63 billion kWh (1999) | 8.63 billion kWh (1999) | 
| Electricity - production by source | fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999) | fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999) | 
| Elevation extremes | lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m | lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m | 
| Environment - current issues | rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resources | rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resources | 
| Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements | 
| Ethnic groups | Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African | Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African | 
| Exchange rates | Omani rials per US dollar - 0.3845 (fixed rate since 1986) | Omani rials per US dollar - 0.3845 (fixed rate since 1986) | 
| Executive branch | chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary | chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary | 
| Exports | $11.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) | $11.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) | 
| Exports - commodities | petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles | petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles | 
| Exports - partners | Japan 27%, China 12%, Thailand 18%, UAE 12%, South Korea 12%, US (1999) | Japan 27%, China 12%, Thailand 18%, UAE 12%, South Korea 12%, US (1999) | 
| Fiscal year | calendar year | calendar year | 
| Flag description | three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered at the top of the vertical band | three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered at the top of the vertical band | 
| GDP | purchasing power parity - $19.6 billion (2000 est.) | purchasing power parity - $19.6 billion (2000 est.) | 
| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 3% industry: 40% services: 57% (1999 est.) | agriculture: 3% industry: 40% services: 57% (1999 est.) | 
| GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $7,700 (2000 est.) | purchasing power parity - $7,700 (2000 est.) | 
| GDP - real growth rate | 4.6% (2000 est.) | 4.6% (2000 est.) | 
| Geographic coordinates | 21 00 N, 57 00 E | 21 00 N, 57 00 E | 
| Geography - note | strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil | strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil | 
| Heliports | 1 (2000 est.) | 1 (2000 est.) | 
| Highways | total: 32,800 km paved: 9,840 km (including 550 km of expressways) unpaved: 22,960 km (1996) | total: 32,800 km paved: 9,840 km (including 550 km of expressways) unpaved: 22,960 km (1996) | 
| Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% | lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% | 
| Imports | $4.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) | $4.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) | 
| Imports - commodities | machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants | machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants | 
| Imports - partners | UAE 26% (largely reexports), Japan 16%, UK 9%, Italy 7%, Germany 6%, US (1999) | UAE 26% (largely reexports), Japan 16%, UK 9%, Italy 7%, Germany 6%, US (1999) | 
| Independence | 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) | 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) | 
| Industrial production growth rate | 4% (2000 est.) | 4% (2000 est.) | 
| Industries | crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction, cement, copper | crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction, cement, copper | 
| Infant mortality rate | 22.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) | 22.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) | 
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | -0.8% (2000 est.) | -0.8% (2000 est.) | 
| International organization participation | ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO | ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO | 
| Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 1 (2000) | 1 (2000) | 
| Irrigated land | 580 sq km (1993 est.) | 580 sq km (1993 est.) | 
| Judicial branch | Supreme Court note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has non-Islamic judges as well as traditional Islamic judges | Supreme Court note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has non-Islamic judges as well as traditional Islamic judges | 
| Labor force | 850,000 (1997 est.) | 850,000 (1997 est.) | 
| Labor force - by occupation | agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% | agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% | 
| Land boundaries | total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km | total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km | 
| Land use | arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 5% forests and woodland: 0% other: 95% (1993 est.) | arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 5% forests and woodland: 0% other: 95% (1993 est.) | 
| Languages | Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects | Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects | 
| Legal system | based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction | based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction | 
| Legislative branch | bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlis al-Dawla (48 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats; members elected by limited suffrage, however, the monarch makes final selections and can negate election results; body has some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has only advisory powers) elections: last held NA September 2000 (next to be held NA September 2003) election results: NA; note - two women were elected for the first time to Majlis al-Shura, about 100,000 people voted | bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlis al-Dawla (48 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats; members elected by limited suffrage, however, the monarch makes final selections and can negate election results; body has some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has only advisory powers) elections: last held NA September 2000 (next to be held NA September 2003) election results: NA; note - two women were elected for the first time to Majlis al-Shura, about 100,000 people voted | 
| Life expectancy at birth | total population: 72.04 years male: 69.9 years female: 74.29 years (2001 est.) | total population: 72.04 years male: 69.9 years female: 74.29 years (2001 est.) | 
| Literacy | definition: NA total population: approaching 80% male: NA% female: NA% | definition: NA total population: approaching 80% male: NA% female: NA% | 
| Location | Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE | Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE | 
| Map references | Middle East | Middle East | 
| Maritime claims | contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM | contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM | 
| Merchant marine | total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,167 GRT/11,307 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1 (2000 est.) | total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,167 GRT/11,307 DWT ships by type: cargo 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1 (2000 est.) | 
| Military branches | Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includes Royal Oman Police) | Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includes Royal Oman Police) | 
| Military expenditures - dollar figure | $2.4 billion (FY00) | $2.4 billion (FY00) | 
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 13% (FY00) | 13% (FY00) | 
| Military manpower - availability | males age 15-49: 771,919 (2001 est.) | males age 15-49: 771,919 (2001 est.) | 
| Military manpower - fit for military service | males age 15-49: 429,811 (2001 est.) | males age 15-49: 429,811 (2001 est.) | 
| Military manpower - military age | 14 years of age | 14 years of age | 
| Military manpower - reaching military age annually | males: 26,469 (2001 est.) | males: 26,469 (2001 est.) | 
| National holiday | Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940) | Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940) | 
| Nationality | noun: Omani(s) adjective: Omani | noun: Omani(s) adjective: Omani | 
| Natural hazards | summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts | summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts | 
| Natural resources | petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas | petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas | 
| Net migration rate | 0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) | 0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) | 
| Pipelines | crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 km | crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 km | 
| Political parties and leaders | none | none | 
| Political pressure groups and leaders | none | none | 
| Population | 2,622,198 note: includes 527,078 non-nationals (July 2001 est.) | 2,622,198 note: includes 527,078 non-nationals (July 2001 est.) | 
| Population below poverty line | NA% | NA% | 
| Population growth rate | 3.43% (2001 est.) | 3.43% (2001 est.) | 
| Ports and harbors | Matrah, Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Raysut | Matrah, Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Raysut | 
| Radio broadcast stations | AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999) | AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999) | 
| Radios | 1.4 million (1997) | 1.4 million (1997) | 
| Railways | 0 km | 0 km | 
| Religions | Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu | Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu | 
| Sex ratio | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.55 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1.3 male(s)/female (2001 est.) | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.55 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1.3 male(s)/female (2001 est.) | 
| Suffrage | in Oman's most recent elections in 2000, limited to approximately 175,000 Omanis chosen by the government to vote in elections for the Majlis ash-Shura | in Oman's most recent elections in 2000, limited to approximately 175,000 Omanis chosen by the government to vote in elections for the Majlis ash-Shura | 
| Telephone system | general assessment: modern system consisting of open wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable domestic: open wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat | general assessment: modern system consisting of open wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable domestic: open wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat | 
| Telephones - main lines in use | 201,000 (1997) | 201,000 (1997) | 
| Telephones - mobile cellular | 59,822 (1997) | 59,822 (1997) | 
| Television broadcast stations | 13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999) | 13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999) | 
| Terrain | central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south | central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south | 
| Total fertility rate | 6.04 children born/woman (2001 est.) | 6.04 children born/woman (2001 est.) | 
| Unemployment rate | NA% | NA% | 
| Waterways | none | none |