"Marhaba" Oman by seagoingJLW

Oman Travel Guide: 1,464 reviews and 3,268 photos

Oman

Oman occupies the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. Muscat city, once a thriving and strategically located port is the capial of modern Oman. Salalah, situated on the shores of the Indian Ocean, is located at the end of the long main highway from Muscat. Until the 1970s, Oman had no paved roads, electricity or running water. That was when the current Sultan of Oman exiled his father to London and began to modernize the country.

Muscat is sometimes referred to as the "three cities," which include Muscat, Mutrah, and Ruwi. Muscat is the old port areea and the site of the sultan's palace. Mutrah is the main trading and residential port area. Ruwi is the capital's modern commercial district.

Salalah, described by Marco Polo in the 13th century as a prosperous city, gained great wealth from the production and shipping of frankincense.

History

The early Roman historian Yalainous mentioned a city named Omana as early as the first century AD. It was also mentioned in Ptolemy's writings.
Archaelogical digs have found evidence of villages here dating back to 6000 BC. the remains from other excavation date from 3400 to 3000 BC.

In the third millennium BC the Magan Empire spread across Oman's northern coast due to the copper found there. Southern Oman grew because of frankencense. By 300 AD, Oman was considered one of the world's wealthiest countries.

Around 630 AD a missionary arrived in Oman bearing a letter from the Prophet Mohammed causing the rulers of the land, the brothers Abd and Jaifar Mustakabar to embrace Islam. The first Ibadi Imam, Julanda Ibn Ma'sud, was elected in 751.

In 1507 the Portuguese occupied Oman's northern coast making Hormuz and then Muscat their capital. Sultan Ibn Saif al-Yarubi reconquered Muscat in 1650 and expelled the Portuguese from Oman.

After the death of Imam Sultan Ibn Saif II in 1718, civil war broke out over his successor. In 1749, Ahmad Ibn Sa'id was elected Imam marking the start of Oman's present dynasty, the Al-Busaid.

Miscellaneous Information

The Sultanate of Oman is in the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula. Its coastline extends from the Strait of Hormuz in the north to the border of Yemen in the south. It overlooks three seas- the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea.

It is the third largest country in the Arabian Peninsula with an area of 309,500 sq km. There are eight administrative regions. They are: A'Dakhliyah, A'Dhahira, Al Batinah, Dhofar, Al Wusta, Muscat, Musandam, and As Sharqiya.

Oman has a varied terrain with plains, deserts (82% of the land), mountain ranges and wadis.

The climate differs from area to area. In summer it is hot and humid in the coastal areas, hot and dry in the interior, and moderate in the mountains. Rain is light and irregulare, except for occasional flooding in the south.

Arabic is the main language, but many learn English in school.

Oman has its own form of Islam called Ibadhism, named after Abdullah ibn Ibadh who lived in the 7th century AD. However, there are also Sunni and Shia Muslims.

Pros and Cons

Pros:the souk here is fascinating.
Cons:It is crowded and not too clean
In a nutshell:The shopping in the souk is great.

Last visit to Oman: Apr 2000
Intro Updated Apr 8, 2004
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (6)

Women's Clothing Local Customs (3)

Women wear colorful clothing. Usually they wear a dress worn over trousers called sirwal. more travel advice

Dishdashi Local Customs (3)

Omani men wear a gown called a dishdashi. more travel advice

Omani Crest Local Customs (3)

This is the Omani crest or emblem. more travel advice

Omani Cuisine Restaurants (1)

Some Omani foods are: Kahwa - a strong bitter drink flavored with cardamom. Halwa - a sticky sweet made with brown... more travel advice

Transportation (1)
Map of Oman

Favorites (1)
The Souk

Comments (20)

simonacassano Aug 17, 2010 at 12:22 AM Report Abuse

Hi, I need to use your picture in one of the books I am working on. Would you be interested? I would acknowledge copyright. I need high-res though. Can you send it asap? Thank you! Simona
margaretvn Sep 10, 2002 at 10:46 AM Report Abuse

I like you photos! and how are you. The new VT is taking some getting used to and I have been so busy at work that I have not spent so much time on it recently.
traveldave Jan 21, 2002 at 7:33 PM Report Abuse

Looks like an interesting & exotic country.
acemj Nov 3, 2001 at 1:04 PM Report Abuse

The food looks great!!
l_joo Oct 11, 2001 at 10:20 AM Report Abuse

wear a gown called a dishdashi
AliJoe Sep 21, 2001 at 4:31 PM Report Abuse

Beautiful pics...so much to see at Souq Joan !
AndreasK Sep 21, 2001 at 11:34 AM Report Abuse

Great page !
o00o Aug 30, 2001 at 8:27 AM Report Abuse

cool
patrikske Jul 22, 2001 at 11:07 AM Report Abuse

Good page, nice pictures !
maykal Jun 20, 2001 at 3:35 PM Report Abuse

what was wrong with Salalah? never been, just curious!