Oman is a country on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula, located in Southwest Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Location Map of Oman
About Map: Map showing location of Oman in the Southwest Asia.
Where is Oman Located?
The given Oman location map shows that Oman is located in the southeastern part of Asia and occupies the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It shares international borders with Yemen to the southwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and the United Arab Emirates to the northwest. In addition, Oman has a long coastline along the Arabian Sea to the southeast and the Gulf of Oman to the northeast. The country experiences a predominantly hot desert climate, characterized by high temperatures and low annual rainfall.
Oman is considered one of the most stable and developed countries in the Arab region. In 2010, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recognized Oman as one of the most improved nations globally over the preceding 40 years in terms of development progress.
The government of Oman is a unitary Islamic absolute monarchy. The head of state and government is the hereditary Sultan. Since 2020, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq has ruled the country. The Sultan appoints a Council of Ministers (Cabinet) to assist in governing the nation.
Oman's economy has traditionally depended on oil and natural gas revenues. However, in recent years, the country has been actively diversifying its economy by promoting sectors such as tourism, logistics, fisheries, and manufacturing under long-term national development strategies.
List of Provinces (Governorates) and Capitals in Oman
| Province (Governorate) | Capital | Population (Approx.) | Area sq mi (sq km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muscat | Muscat | 1,720,000 | 1,500 sq mi (3,900 sq km) |
| Dhofar | Salalah | 480,000 | 38,500 sq mi (99,300 sq km) |
| Al Batinah North | Sohar | 820,000 | 4,700 sq mi (12,200 sq km) |
| Al Batinah South | Rustaq | 490,000 | 3,500 sq mi (9,000 sq km) |
| Ad Dakhiliyah | Nizwa | 510,000 | 12,300 sq mi (31,800 sq km) |
| Ad Dhahirah | Ibri | 280,000 | 14,200 sq mi (36,800 sq km) |
| Al Buraimi | Al Buraimi | 125,000 | 2,600 sq mi (6,700 sq km) |
| Al Wusta | Haima | 55,000 | 30,000 sq mi (77,700 sq km) |
| Ash Sharqiyah North | Ibra | 320,000 | 13,500 sq mi (35,000 sq km) |
| Ash Sharqiyah South | Sur | 210,000 | 8,400 sq mi (21,800 sq km) |
| Musandam | Khasab | 45,000 | 700 sq mi (1,800 sq km) |
10 Largest Cities in Oman
| City | Governorate | Population (Approx.) | Area sq mi (sq km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muscat | Muscat | 797,000 | 1,350 sq mi (3,500 sq km) |
| Salalah | Dhofar | 340,000 | 200 sq mi (520 sq km) |
| Sohar | Al Batinah North | 220,000 | 100 sq mi (260 sq km) |
| Seeb | Muscat | 470,000 | 150 sq mi (390 sq km) |
| Bawshar | Muscat | 400,000 | 120 sq mi (310 sq km) |
| Nizwa | Ad Dakhiliyah | 120,000 | 40 sq mi (105 sq km) |
| Sur | Ash Sharqiyah South | 95,000 | 30 sq mi (78 sq km) |
| Ibri | Ad Dhahirah | 85,000 | 20 sq mi (52 sq km) |
| Rustaq | Al Batinah South | 80,000 | 25 sq mi (65 sq km) |
| Khasab | Musandam | 18,000 | 5 sq mi (13 sq km) |
Facts About Oman
| Official Name | Sultanate of Oman |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Western Asia (Middle East) |
| Coordinates | 21°00′N 57°00′E |
| Capital and Largest City | Muscat |
| Border Countries | Saudi Arabia (676 km), United Arab Emirates (609 km), Yemen (288 km) |
| Total Land Borders | 1,573 km |
| Area | 309,500 sq km (119,500 sq mi) – Rank 70th globally |
| Coastline | 3,165 km (1,967 mi) along the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf |
| Official Language | Arabic |
| Widely Spoken Languages | English, Baluchi, Swahili, Urdu, Hindi |
| Religion | Islam (Official religion; Ibadi majority) |
| Demonym | Omani |
| Government | Unitary Islamic Absolute Monarchy |
| Current Sultan (2026) | Haitham bin Tariq (since 2020) |
| Currency | Omani Rial (OMR) |
| Time Zone | UTC+4 (Gulf Standard Time – GST) |
| Calling Code | +968 |
| Internet TLD | .om |
| ISO 3166 Code | OM |
| Driving Side | Right |
| Population (2024 estimate) | Approximately 5.3 million |
| Population Density | Approximately 17 people per sq km |
| GDP (Nominal, 2024 est.) | Approx. $108 billion USD |
| GDP (PPP, 2024 est.) | Approx. $215 billion USD |
| HDI (2023) | 0.816 – High Human Development |
| Major Natural Resources | Petroleum, Natural Gas, Copper, Gold, Limestone, Marble, Gypsum, Chromium |
| Main International Airport | Muscat International Airport (IATA: MCT, ICAO: OOMS) |
| Official Website | https://www.oman.om |
Top Places to Visit in Oman
- Muscat – The capital city known for Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and Mutrah Corniche
- Salalah – Famous for its Khareef (monsoon) season and lush green landscapes
- Wahiba Sands – Vast desert dunes ideal for camping and dune bashing
- Jebel Shams – The highest mountain in Oman, known as the "Grand Canyon of Arabia"
- Jebel Akhdar – Scenic mountain range with terraced farms and cool climate
- Nizwa – Historic city known for Nizwa Fort and traditional souq
- Sur – Coastal town famous for dhow shipbuilding yards
- Wadi Shab – Popular hiking and swimming destination with turquoise pools
- Wadi Bani – Beautiful oasis with clear blue water pools
- Ras Al Jinz – Turtle Reserve known for green sea turtle nesting
- Musandam Peninsula – Dramatic fjord-like landscapes often called the "Norway of Arabia"
- Bimmah Sinkhole – Natural limestone crater filled with turquoise water
- Al Hoota Cave – One of the largest cave systems in the Arabian Peninsula
- Misfat Al Abriyeen – Traditional mountain village with ancient mud houses
- Bahla Fort – UNESCO World Heritage Site with historic architecture
Places of Attractions in Oman
| Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque | Al Alam Palace | Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve | Snake Gorge Canyon |
| Wadi Ash Shab | Royal Opera House Muscat | Mughsail Beach | Wadi Dayqah Dam |
| Nizwa Fort | The National Museum of Oman | Ad Dimaniyat Islands | Muscat Gate Museum |
| Bahla Fort | Mutrah Corniche | Musandam Peninsula | Qurum Natural Park |
| Mutrah Souq | Bait Al Zubair Museum | Majlis al Jinn | Ayn Razat |
| Jebel Shams | Qurum Beach | Al Hoota Cave | Al Sawadi Beach |
| Bimmah Sinkhole | Nakhal Fort, Oman | Fazayah Beach | Children's Museum |
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