OMAN. Sultanate of Oman
A country in Southwest Asia, in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula. Area - 312 thousand km² (the borders in the west run through deserts and are not clearly defined). The capital is Muscat (over 500 thousand including the port of Matrah). Administratively, it is divided into 59 wilayats (provinces), united into 8 regions. Population - 2.4 million (Omani subjects - 1.78 million); 80% are Arabs, the rest are Persians, Indians, Baluchis, and people from Africa. There are over 200 thousand foreigners in the country working under contracts. The official language is Arabic, English is also widely spoken. The state religion is Islam. The majority of the population are Ibadi, adherents of one of the Kharijite sects of Sunni direction. The currency is the Omani Rial = 1000 Baisa.
It has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR on September 26, 1985).
The national holiday is November 18 - the birthday of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said (celebrated since 1970 - the date of the sultan's accession to the throne).
Oman is an absolute monarchy. The fundamental law (constitution) was adopted on November 6, 1996. The head of state is Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said. Legislative power belongs to the sultan. He heads the government and combines the functions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Finance. The cabinet of ministers headed by the sultan includes a special representative of the sultan, 3 deputy prime ministers, the secretary of the cabinet, and 25 ministers.
In December 1997, in accordance with the Fundamental Law, a bicameral advisory body of a parliamentary type was created - the Council of Oman, consisting of the lower house - the Consultative Council (83 members) and the upper house - the State Council (53 members). The Consultative Council is elected through direct elections. The composition of the State Council is appointed by the sultan for 4 years. Under the sultan, the National Security Council was created and operates, the status and powers of which were expanded by a decree of the sultan in 2003.
Political parties and trade unions are absent in Oman.
Oman in its modern borders unites the former Sultanate of Muscat and the Imamate of Oman, over which Great Britain established its control in the early 19th century. In 1913, the Imamate of Oman declared itself independent from the Sultanate of Muscat and from British rule. The unsuccessful 7-year war for Muscat and Great Britain against the Imamate ended with the signing of the Sib Treaty in 1920, which secured the autonomy of Oman. In 1955, with the direct assistance of the British, the forces of the Sultanate of Muscat annexed the Imamate of Oman.
Since August 1970, the country has been called the Sultanate of Oman.
Oman maintains close relations with Great Britain, the USA, and other foreign countries. In the UN and other international and regional organizations, it coordinates its position primarily with the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The Sultanate is a member of the UN (since 1971), the League of Arab States (since 1971), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and participates in the Non-Aligned Movement.
In matters of Middle Eastern regulation, it adheres to a pan-Arab position, advocating for a fair resolution of the Palestinian issue. It supports the transformation of the Persian Gulf into a zone of peace and security, advocating for the preservation of foreign military presence in the Gulf at this stage on the grounds that the countries in this area are currently unable to guarantee regional stability and ensure freedom of international navigation. It has an agreement with the USA on military cooperation.
Oman's economy has been developing since 1975 based on 5-year plans; its foundation is the oil industry. Oil reserves are estimated at 5.5 billion barrels. The average oil production figures in 2004 were about 730 thousand barrels per day. In 2004, GDP amounted to 23.5 billion dollars, or 9.7 thousand dollars per capita. Inflation in 2004 was at 1.2%.
The Sultanate has industrial deposits of natural gas (830 billion m³), copper (20 million tons, annual production - 16 thousand tons), chromium (2 million tons and 6 thousand tons), coal (annual extraction - about 40 thousand tons), as well as iron ore, marble, gypsum, zinc, tin, and asbestos. Small reserves of manganese, lead, gold, and silver have been discovered.
About 50% of the working population is engaged in agriculture and fishing. However, these sectors meet the country's needs by only 44%. Only 7% of the area is suitable for agriculture. Mainly tropical fruits and vegetables are grown. Fishing yields about 100 thousand tons of fish annually (80% is exported). There are facilities for processing and storing seafood.
In addition to oil and petroleum products, Oman exports some types of vegetables and fruits, as well as frozen fish, which brings the country about 25 million dollars a year. Consumer goods (1/3 of total volume), machinery and equipment, vehicles, and food are imported.
Leading trading partners: Great Britain, Japan, the USA, the Republic of Korea, the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. The main importers of Omani oil include Japan (40% of total production), the Republic of Korea (20%), Singapore, Taiwan, China, and Thailand.
Maritime transport is widely used in the country. The largest port of Oman - Mina al-Qaboos accepts vessels with a draft of up to 10.4 m. Several oil pipelines are laid across the country. An international airport operates in the suburbs of Muscat.
Education for Omanis is free. There are more than 600 schools, and a network of vocational schools has been created. A university was opened in 1986.
In Muscat, daily newspapers are published: "Al-Watan," "Oman," and the state news agency Oman News Agency (ONA) operates. There is a radio and television service.