GeographyArea: About 309,500 sq. km. (approximately the size of the State of New Mexico). It is bordered on the north by the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), on the northwest by Saudi Arabia, and on the southwest by the Republic of Yemen. The Omani coastline stretches 3,165 km.
Cities: Capital--Muscat. Other cities--Salalah, Nizwa, Sohar, Sur.
Terrain: Mountains, plains, and arid plateau.
Climate: Hot and humid along the coast; hot and dry in the interior; summer monsoon in the far south.
PeopleNationality: Noun--Oman. Adjective--Omani(s).
Population (2009 est.): 3.37 million (includes 580,000 non-nationals).
Annual population growth rate (2009 est.): 2.0%.
Ethnic groups: Arab, Baluchi, East African (Zanzabari), South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi).
Religions: Ibadhi; Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu, Christian.
Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Swahili, Hindi and Indian dialects.
Education: Literacy--approx. 81% (total population).
Health (2009 est.): Infant mortality rate--17 deaths/1,000 live births. Life expectancy--73.8 years.
Work force: 920,000 total; Agriculture and fishing--approx. 50%.
GovernmentType: Monarchy.
Constitution: None. On November 6, 1996, Sultan Qaboos issued a royal decree promulgating the Basic Statute which clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral parliament, and guarantees basic rights and responsibilities for Omani citizens.
Branches: Executive--Sultan. Legislative--bicameral Majlis Oman (appointed State Council and elected Consultative Council). Judicial--Civil courts are divided into four departments: criminal courts handle cases under the penal code; Shari'a (Islamic law) courts oversee personal status and family law issues; commercial courts adjudicate business and commercial matters; labor courts oversee labor and employment cases.
Political parties: None.
Suffrage: Universal adult.
Administrative subdivisions: Eight administrative regions--Muscat Governorate, Dhofar Governorate, Musandam Governorate, Al-Buraimi Governorate, Al Batinah, Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhliya, Al Shariqiya, Al Wusta. There are 61 districts (wilayats).
