The Sultanate of Oman is a country in the southwestern part of Asia, on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the United Arab Emirates in the northwest, Saudi Arabia in the west, and Yemen in the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea in the south and east, and the Gulf of Oman in the northeast.
A vast desert plain covers most of central Oman, with mountain ranges along the north (Jebel Akhdar) and southeast coast, where the country's main cities are also located: capital city Muscat, Matrah and Sur in the north, and Salalah in the south. Oman's climate is hot and dry in the interior and humid along the coast.
Dabba, Oman
Oman is considered to be one of the fifteen states that comprise the so-called "Cradle of Humanity". Not all of Oman's borders with the United Arab Emirates are well defined.
Although Oman is a modern country, Western influences are quite restricted; the Ibadhi form of Islam is fairly strict in comparison with Sunni Islam and Shi'a Islam.
Oman is famous for its khanjar knives (dagger).
Although Arabic is Oman's official language, there are still native speakers of dialects or offshoots of Southern Arabian, a Semitic language only distantly related to Arabic. However, even in Oman the dominant indigenous language is a dialect of Arabic.
Things you should know when travelling to Oman
Heightened tensions throughout the region, together with increased threats globally from terrorism, put Canadians at greater risk. Canadians should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times, as the security situation could deteriorate rapidly without notice. Exercise extreme caution, particularly in commercial, public, and tourist areas frequented by foreigners. Canadians should monitor local developments, avoid crowds and demonstrations, as well as register and remain in regular contact with the Embassy of Canada in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (see below) or The Canadian government and Canadian Content.
Avoid leaving vehicles unattended. When doing so, upon return, carefully inspect both the exterior and interior to detect any attached devices or suspicious packages nearby. Treat mail and packages from unfamiliar sources with suspicion. If you notice anything unusual, contact your sponsor or call the Omani police immediately. Suspects as well as witnesses to incidents may be held for lengthy periods without access to legal counsel or consular officials. If access is granted, it may be severely limited by the Omani authorities.
Street crime is low and violent crimes are rare. However, foreigners are occasionally victims of robbery, auto theft, and violence, including two shootings in late 2003. Normal precautions should be taken to ensure that personal belongings and passports are secure at all times. Do not travel alone after dark. Some areas of the country are considered of strategic importance and require pre-authorized permission to enter from the Omani government.
Islamic practices and beliefs form the basis of the country's customs, laws, and regulations. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. Visitors should dress conservatively. The dress code tends to be more relaxed on beaches and at resorts/hotels. Certain public areas may be restricted to men or women only.
