"Oman" a Oman Travel Page by TomorrowsAngel

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map from Lonely Planet website

Full country name: Sultanate of Oman
Area: 212,500 sq km (82,000 sq mi)
Population: 2.5 million
Capital city: Muscat (pop. 380,000)
People: Arab, Asian, African, Baluchi
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Baluchi, Urdu
Religion: Ibadi Muslim (75%), Sunni Muslim, Shiite Muslim, Hindu
Government: Sultanate
Head of State: Sultan Qaboos bin Said

Sultanate of Oman is a land of friendly people, dramatic landscapes and lots of forts.
The capital, Muscat, lacks the nouveau-riche feel that typifies Bahrain and the Emirates, and although Oman remains, in many ways, the most traditional country in the region, it's often more outward looking than it's given credit for.
During the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, Oman was an imperial power that vied first with Portugal and later with Britain for influence in the Gulf, the Indian Ocean and the coasts of India and East Africa.
Its development since the ascension of Sultan Qaboos bin Said in 1970 is all the more striking because the country's oil reserves are so limited, and because the previous sultan, Said bin Taimur, had kept Oman sealed off from the outside world.
Today, Oman is considered a safe and secure destination, although visitors are advised to avoid demonstrations and political gatherings.

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baba climbing for dates

We spent a day driving around the various forts north of Muscat

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fish souk, Mutrah in Muscat

The souks in Oman, are just as interesting as Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.