Popular car hire locations in Oman
Mini Guide to Oman
Oman is divided in two by the United Arab Emirates. A small mountainous area at the tip of the MUSANDAM peninsula overlook the strategic Strait of HORMUZ, which controls the entrance to THE GULF. The main part of the country consists of a fertile coastal plain (BATINAH) in the far north, the limestone HAJAR MOUNTAINS rising to 3018 m (990 I ft), and a largely barren plateau with small fishing harbours to the south. The DHOFAR coast in the far south is fertile and has reliable monsoon rain from June to September, and there is good pasture in Dhofar's mountains. Inland the plateau merges into the largely unexplored 'Empty Quarter' in Saudi Arabia.
Oil, found mainly in the north, provides 90 per cent of exports, and there are also copper and natural gas. However, 70 per cent of the people live by farming or fishing. With high temperatures and low, generally unreliable rainfall, only 0.1 per cent of the land is cultivated. This area includes the Batinah a potentially rich garden area, land around mountain villages which have ancient irrigation systems, and sheltered mountain valleys. Whilst Muscat and Salalah are the main tourist destiantions, there is plenty to see beyond the city limits.
Musandam
Located at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Musandam is separated from the rest of Oman by the UAE and home to some of the country's most dramatic landscapes, as well as the world-famous Zighy Bay. Nicknamed the 'Fjords of the Middle East', the crystal clear waters surrounding the area, coupled with the chance to spot dolphins, migrating whales, hundreds of fish species and beautiful coral, make it the perfect location for a diving or snorkelling break.
Oman Factfile
- The Sultanate of Oman to give its offical full name
- Muscat is the capital and largest city
- Arabic is the official language
- Oman is a Monarchy with the Sultan of Oman as head of state