Oman

Area: 309,500 sq km
Population: 2,867,428 (2008) (Omani Ministry of National Economy)
Life Expectancy: 73.9 years
Capital City: Muscat
People: Arab, Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan), African and Baluchi
Omani nationals: 1,967,180 (as above)
Expatriate residents: 900,248 (as above)
Language(s): Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Baluchi and Urdu
Religion(s): No state religion. The majority are Ibadhi Muslims. Sunni and Shi’a Muslims make up the rest of the Omani population. Significant numbers of South Asian Hindus and Christians.
Currency: Omani Rial
Major Political Parties: None
Government: Monarchy, with assistance from Consultative Council (Majlis ash-Shura)
Head of State: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said
Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs: Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah

 VISAS

 Information about visas for Oman can be obtained here.

 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

 Sultan’s School, Seeb. http://www.sultansschool.org/

The British School, Muscat. http://www.britishschool.edu.om/

The British School, Salalah. http://www.britishschoolsalalah.com/

 

THE ECONOMY

 

The economy is largely dependent on the production and export of oil and gas, which began in 1967, but the policy of gradually lessening dependence on oil is meeting with continuing success. In 2005 oil & gas accounted for 79.5% of Government revenue, as compared to 72.7% in 2003, and 73.1 in 2002. Oman’s policy of economic diversification, is focusing on natural gas, port developments in Sohar and Salalah, information and communication technology, fisheries, manufacturing and, in particular, modern tourist facilities, which are being expanded throughout the country. Another important economic policy is ‘Omanisation’, the replacement of migrant workers with Omani nationals. The aim is to address the pressing need to provide work for the growing number of young Omanis, and prepare the country for the post-oil era.