Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: May 22, 2026
Oman is divided into 11 governorates, also known as muhafazah. Each governorate is further divided into wilayats, which are sub-regions. Here are the governorates of Oman:
Oman is an Arabian Peninsula country in Western Asia bordered by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and the Arabian Sea. The country is divided into 11 governorates for administrative governance and regional management. Muscat is the national capital and also the largest city in Oman.
The country includes deserts, mountains, coastal plains, wadis, islands, and long coastlines along the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. Different governorates are known for oil and gas production, fishing, tourism, ports, agriculture, and maritime trade.
Key Facts
- National capital: Muscat
- Total population: 5,400,000 (Official estimate 2025)
- Total area: 309,500 km² (119,499 sq miles)
- Currency: Omani Rial (OMR)
- Bordering countries: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
- Total Governorates: 11
- Total Wilayats: 60+
List of Governorates and Capitals of Oman
Total governorates shown: 11 | Combined population: 5,400,000 | Combined area: 309,500 km²
| # | Governorate Name | Capital City | Geographic Region | Area (km²) | Population (Latest Census) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ad Dakhiliyah | Nizwa | Interior Highlands | 31,900 | 520,000 |
| 2 | Ad Dhahirah | Ibri | Western Desert | 37,000 | 320,000 |
| 3 | Al Batinah North | Sohar | Northern Coast | 12,500 | 820,000 |
| 4 | Al Batinah South | Rustaq | Northern Coast | 10,000 | 520,000 |
| 5 | Al Buraimi | Al Buraimi | Northwestern Borderlands | 7,000 | 130,000 |
| 6 | Al Wusta | Haima | Central Desert | 79,700 | 55,000 |
| 7 | Dhofar | Salalah | Southern Coast | 99,300 | 520,000 |
| 8 | Musandam | Khasab | Northern Peninsula | 1,800 | 50,000 |
| 9 | Muscat | Muscat | Capital Region | 3,900 | 1,700,000 |
| 10 | North Ash Sharqiyah | Ibra | Eastern Oman | 36,500 | 320,000 |
| 11 | South Ash Sharqiyah | Sur | Eastern Coast | 36,800 | 445,000 |
Largest Governorates by Area
- Dhofar - 38,340 sq mi (99,300 km²)
- Al Wusta - 30,772 sq mi (79,700 km²)
- Ad Dhahirah - 14,286 sq mi (37,000 km²)
- South Ash Sharqiyah - 14,209 sq mi (36,800 km²)
- North Ash Sharqiyah - 14,093 sq mi (36,500 km²)
- Ad Dakhiliyah - 12,317 sq mi (31,900 km²)
- Al Batinah North - 4,826 sq mi (12,500 km²)
- Al Batinah South - 3,861 sq mi (10,000 km²)
Most Populous Governorates
- Muscat - Population: 1,700,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Al Batinah North - Population: 820,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Ad Dakhiliyah - Population: 520,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Al Batinah South - Population: 520,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Dhofar - Population: 520,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- South Ash Sharqiyah - Population: 445,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Ad Dhahirah - Population: 320,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- North Ash Sharqiyah - Population: 320,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Smallest Governorates by Area
- Musandam - 695 sq mi (1,800 km²)
- Muscat - 1,506 sq mi (3,900 km²)
- Al Buraimi - 2,703 sq mi (7,000 km²)
- Al Batinah South - 3,861 sq mi (10,000 km²)
- Al Batinah North - 4,826 sq mi (12,500 km²)
- Ad Dakhiliyah - 12,317 sq mi (31,900 km²)
Governorates by Geographic Grouping
- Capital Region: Muscat
- Central Desert: Al Wusta
- Eastern Coast: South Ash Sharqiyah
- Eastern Oman: North Ash Sharqiyah
- Interior Highlands: Ad Dakhiliyah
- Northern Coast: Al Batinah North, Al Batinah South
- Northern Peninsula: Musandam
- Northwestern Borderlands: Al Buraimi
- Southern Coast: Dhofar
- Western Desert: Ad Dhahirah
Landlocked Governorates
- Ad Dakhiliyah
- Ad Dhahirah
- Al Buraimi
- North Ash Sharqiyah
Governorates with Coastline
- Al Batinah North
- Al Batinah South
- Al Wusta
- Dhofar
- Musandam
- Muscat
- South Ash Sharqiyah
Governorates Sharing Borders with Other Countries
- Saudi Arabia: Ad Dhahirah, Al Wusta, Dhofar
- United Arab Emirates: Al Buraimi, Musandam
- Yemen: Dhofar
Major Economic Activities by Governorate
| Governorate | Main Economic Activity | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Muscat | Government and finance | National capital and ports |
| Dhofar | Tourism and agriculture | Monsoon climate and frankincense |
| Al Batinah North | Industry and shipping | Sohar Port and manufacturing |
| Ad Dakhiliyah | Tourism and farming | Historic forts and mountains |
| Al Wusta | Energy production | Oil and gas fields |
| Musandam | Tourism and fishing | Fjords of Arabia |
Sources
- National Centre for Statistics and Information Oman
- World Bank - Oman Data
- CIA World Factbook - Oman
- Encyclopaedia Britannica - Oman
- Government of Oman
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