Country Facts

Oman map
  • Biggest holidays and celebrations: Ramadan
  • Capital City: Muscat
  • Celebrities you should know: Ali Abdullah Harib Al-Habsi - Goalkeeper in the English football Premier League. Ahmad Al-Harthy - racing driver. Isla Fisher - actress.
  • Currency: 1 Omani Rial = 1,000 Baisa
  • Food taboos and favourites: Pork isn't eaten. All other meat should be Halal. Alcohol isn't permitted by Islam but you can drink it in permitted areas.
  • Government: Sultanate. A monarchy with the Sultan of Oman as absolute leader.
  • Historical figures: One of the world's most famous sailors and traders, Sinbad, comes from Oman.
  • International dialling code: +968
  • Key words and national identity: "aish akhbar?" - "What's new?" in Omani Arabic dialect, a common greeting. dajeej qabooli - a popular Omani chicken-rice dish (usually eaten on a huge shared platter) This dish brings together influences from Oman, Zanzibar and Baluchistan - formerly all three parts of the Sultanate.
  • Landmarks and places of cultural significance: The Wahiba Sands, an enormous area of sand dunes; Jebl Akhdar, the green mountains; Nizwa, the ancestral capital and Salalah, the home of frankincense.
  • Languages and foreigners: The main language remains Arabic. English is widely spoken as a business language between natives and immigrant workers. Hindi and Urdu are also often heard.
  • Music genres: Religious, folk and traditional tribal music. Egyptian and Levantine music are all popular and Western Pop amongst younger generations.
  • Official language: Arabic
  • Official name: The Sultanate of Oman
  • Population: 3 million
  • Religion: Islam
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