Discover Fascinating Oman Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Oman.
Oman
Background
๐ Oman has a rich history intertwined with trade, especially in the Indian Ocean. Since the late 18th century, Oman began forming friendships with Britain by signing treaties ๐. This partnership grew stronger, with Oman relying more on British advisors for political and military support. Fast forward to 1970, a significant year when QABOOS bin Said Al-Said took charge by overthrowing his father. His remarkable 50-year reign brought Oman into the modern era! ๐โจ
Years of QABOOS bin Said Al-Said's Rule
50 years
Treaties with Britain begin
Late 18th century
Year QABOOS bin Said Al-Said came to power
1970
Exports - commodities
๐ Oman has a diverse range of exports that play a huge role in its economy! Let's take a look at some of the main commodities exported by Oman:
- Crude Petroleum ๐ง
- Natural Gas ๐ฅ
- Refined Petroleum ๐ข๏ธ
- Fertilizers ๐ฑ
- Semi-finished Iron โ๏ธ
Each of these commodities contributes to Oman's trade and economic strength!
Exports - partners
๐ Let's take a look at the top export partners of Oman! In 2022, Oman sent most of its goods to China, which received 40% of the exports! ๐ฆ๐จ Hereโs how the rest of the countries stack up:
- India: 11% ๐ฎ๐ณ
- South Korea: 6% ๐ฐ๐ท
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): 4% ๐ฆ๐ช
- United States (US): 4% ๐บ๐ธ
Together, these partners play a big role in Oman's trade adventures! ๐
Top Export Partner
China (40%)
Second Highest Export Partner
India (11%)
Export Percentage for South Korea
6%
Export Percentage for UAE
4%
Export Percentage for US
4%
Oman's Export Partners (2022)
Capital
๐๏ธ Say hello to Muscat, the beautiful capital of Oman! ๐ด๐ฒ This city is not just the political center but also a hub of culture and heritage. With its stunning architecture and rich history, Muscat welcomes visitors to explore its charm. From the stunning Royal Opera House to the bustling markets, thereโs always something exciting to do in Muscat! ๐โจ
Imports - commodities
๐ Oman imports a variety of essential commodities that keep its economy moving! Among these are refined petroleum, cars, iron ore, milk, and iron pipes. Each of these imports plays a crucial role in supporting both the everyday lives of the people and the country's industries. Let's dive into the details of what Oman brings in! ๐๐
Imported Commodities
Refined petroleum, Cars, Iron ore, Milk, Iron pipes
Climate
๐ Oman has a fascinating climate! Picture this: a dry desert landscape desert ๐ต, with hot and humid conditions along the coast ๐, while the interior is hot and dry ๐. From May to September, the far south experiences a strong southwest summer monsoon that brings some moisture! โ๏ธ It's a unique blend that makes Oman stand out!
Executive branch
In Oman, the leader of the country is known as the Sultan and also serves as the Prime Minister. The current chief of state and head of government is HAITHAM bin Tarik Al Said, who has been in power since January 11, 2020. ๐ฐ This dual role combines the highest executive power with responsibilities for the government's direction.
With a leader like Sultan Haitham, Oman continues to navigate through its modern challenges while holding on to its rich traditions! ๐โจ
Current Sultan and Prime Minister
HAITHAM bin Tarik Al Said
Date since assuming office
11 January 2020
Legislative branch
In Oman, the legislative branch is made up of two important parts, which is called a bicameral council! ๐ฎ
- Council of State: This council has 87 seats where members provide suggestions and help with the laws.
- Consultative Assembly: This assembly has 90 seats and its role is to discuss and recommend laws to the government.
Together, these two councils work to shape the laws and policies of Oman! ๐๐ด๐ฒ
Seats in Oman's Legislative Branch
Natural resources
๐ Oman's Natural Treasures ๐
Oman is a land rich in natural resources! Here are the valuable materials found in this beautiful country:
- Petroleum: The biggest jewel in Oman's crown! ๐ข๏ธ
- Copper: Useful for lots of things, from wiring to coins.
- Asbestos: A material that has been used for insulation.
- Marble: The fine stone used for beautiful buildings. ๐๏ธ
- Limestone: Great for construction! ๐งฑ
- Chromium: Important for making strong metals.
- Gypsum: Used in making plasterboard and cement.
- Natural Gas: A clean energy source! ๐ฅ
These resources play a significant role in Oman's economy and contribute to its development. ๐ฟ
Main Natural Resource
Petroleum
Number of Natural Resources Listed
8
Economic overview
Oman has a ๐ high-income, oil-based economy! With a large welfare system, it provides a safety net for its citizens. However, there is an ongoing trend of growing government debt ๐ฐ. To support its economy, Oman has a citizenship-based labor force growth policy, ensuring that its citizens get job opportunities. The country also enjoys a free trade agreement with the US ๐บ๐ธ, which helps to diversify its portfolio. A notable aspect of the economy is the high female labor force participation, empowering women in the workforce! ๐
Economic Type
High-income, oil-based economy
Welfare System Size
Large
Government Debt Trend
Growing
Labor Force Growth Policy
Citizenship-based
Trade Agreement
US free trade agreement
Female Labor Force Participation
High
Government type
Oman is governed as an absolute monarchy ๐! This means that the Sultan holds complete power over the country and its government. In an absolute monarchy, the rulerโs decisions are law, and citizens have limited participation in governmental affairs. It's a unique system that shapes the culture and everyday life in Oman!
Government Type
Absolute Monarchy
Ethnic groups
๐ Oman is a beautiful country known for its rich culture and diverse ethnic groups! The population is primarily made up of the following groups:
- Arab: The largest ethnic group, forming the backbone of Omani culture! ๐ด๐ฒ
- Baluchi: Hailing from the Baluchistan region, they add a unique flavor to Oman's identity! ๐
- South Asian: This group includes people from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. They contribute significantly to the workforce and daily life! ๐ผ
- African: Adding even more diversity, this group enriches the cultural tapestry of Oman! ๐
Isn't it fascinating how these diverse backgrounds come together to create a vibrant Omani society? ๐
Majority Ethnic Group
Arab
Notable South Asian Countries
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
Religions
In Oman, the diverse tapestry of beliefs is woven predominantly with the threads of Islam, followed by other religions. ๐ Let's break it down:
- Muslim: 85.9%
- Christian: 6.4%
- Hindu: 5.7%
- Other and Unaffiliated: 2%
These percentages reflect a vibrant cultural landscape where the majority embrace Islam, shaping the traditions and lifestyles within the country. ๐โ๏ธ๐๏ธ
Majority Religion
Muslim - 85.9%
Percentage of Christians
6.4%
Percentage of Hindus
5.7%
Other and Unaffiliated
2%
Religious Composition of Oman (2020)
Languages
In Oman, the people speak a variety of languages! ๐ The official language is Arabic, which is used in government and education. But that's not all! ๐ You can also hear English, Baluchi, Swahili, Urdu, and various Indian dialects during your travels around this vibrant country. So, whether you're exploring bustling markets or enjoying the beauty of the desert, you're likely to come across these fascinating languages! ๐
Official Language
Arabic
Other Languages Spoken
5
Imports - partners
๐ Oman has a diverse set of partners when it comes to imports! In 2022, the percentages showing how much Oman imports from different countries are quite interesting:
- ๐ฆ๐ช UAE: 27%
- ๐ธ๐ฆ Saudi Arabia: 11%
- ๐ฎ๐ณ India: 10%
- ๐จ๐ณ China: 9%
- ๐ถ๐ฆ Qatar: 5%
This tells us that the UAE is the leading partner for imports, making a big chunk at 27%! ๐ Letโs dive into these figures and visualize them for a clearer perspective! ๐
Total percentage of listed import partners
62%
Oman's Import Partners in 2022
Population
Oman is home to a vibrant population of 3,901,992 people! ๐ This diverse group of residents contributes to the rich culture and traditions of the country. Did you know that understanding population data can help us learn more about a country's needs and growth? ๐
Total Population of Oman
3,901,992
Area
Oman is a country with a total area of 309,500 sq km! ๐ That's a huge space, and guess what? Every bit of it is land because Oman has 0 sq km of water! So, all 309,500 sq km is dry and ready for exploration! ๐๏ธ
Total Area
309500 sq km
Land Area
309500 sq km
Water Area
0 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ฐ Oman's Real GDP (PPP) Over the Years ๐ฐ
Oman's economy has shown significant growth in recent years! Let's check out how its Real GDP (purchasing power parity) has changed:
- 2021: $175.986 billion
- 2022: $183.574 billion
- 2023: $185.96 billion
As you can see, Oman's GDP has increased each year! ๐ This is a good sign for the economy as it means more goods and services are being produced, which helps improve the standard of living for everyone in the country. ๐
Total Real GDP (2023)
$185.96 billion
GDP Growth from 2021 to 2023
$9.974 billion
GDP Growth from 2022 to 2023
$2.386 billion
Oman's Real GDP (PPP) Growth
Real GDP per capita
๐ Let's take a look at Oman's Real GDP per capita over the last few years! This is a really important number because it tells us how much money, on average, each person in Oman makes. Here's what we found:
- 2021: $38,900 ๐ต
- 2022: $40,100 ๐ต
- 2023 (estimated): $40,000 ๐ต
You can see how Oman's economy is performing over time. Itโs like a rollercoaster of numbers! ๐ข
2021 Real GDP per Capita
38,900
2022 Real GDP per Capita
40,100
2023 Estimated Real GDP per Capita
40,000
Oman's Real GDP per Capita Over Time
Imports
Imports in Oman ๐ฆ
Oman has seen a steady increase in its imports over the past few years! ๐ Hereโs how it looks:
- In 2022, Oman imported $46.326 billion worth of goods!
- Back in 2021, the imports were $37.216 billion.
- And in 2020, the imports stood at $33.827 billion.
This shows a clear upward trend, indicating that Oman is actively participating in global trade more than ever before! ๐โจ
The growth in imports is not just numbersโit represents more opportunities and more products for the people of Oman. ๐
Import Value in 2022
$46.326 billion
Import Value in 2021
$37.216 billion
Import Value in 2020
$33.827 billion
Oman's Import Growth Over Years
Exports
๐ Let's take a look at Oman's exports over the past few years. ๐ The numbers show just how much goods Oman sells to other countries! Here's how it breaks down:
- 2022: $69.701 billion
- 2021: $46.572 billion
- 2020: $35.691 billion
Isn't it amazing to see how Oman's exports have grown? ๐
Exports in 2022
69.701 billion USD
Exports in 2021
46.572 billion USD
Exports in 2020
35.691 billion USD
Oman's Exports Over Time
Population growth rate
๐ The population growth rate of Oman is currently estimated at 1.75% for the year 2024. This means that the number of people living in Oman is expected to increase steadily! ๐ With such growth, Oman continues to develop and thrive, making it an exciting place to observe the changes over time.
Population Growth Rate for 2024
1.75%