Discover Fascinating Oman Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Oman.

Oman

Background

๐ŸŒ 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 ๐ŸŒŸ. 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! ๐Ÿš€โœจ

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

๐ŸŒ 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 ๐Ÿ’ง
  • Natural Gas ๐Ÿ”ฅ
  • Refined Petroleum ๐Ÿ›ข๏ธ
  • Fertilizers ๐ŸŒฑ
  • Semi-finished Iron โš™๏ธ

Each of these commodities contributes to Oman's trade and economic strength!

Exports - partners

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿ“ฆ๐Ÿ’จ Hereโ€™s how the rest of the countries stack up:

  • India: 11% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • South Korea: 6% ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE): 4% ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช
  • United States (US): 4% ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ

Together, these partners play a big role in Oman's trade adventures! ๐Ÿ“Š

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Say hello to Muscat, the beautiful capital of Oman! ๐Ÿ‡ด๐Ÿ‡ฒ 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, thereโ€™s always something exciting to do in Muscat! ๐ŸŒ†โœจ

Imports - commodities

๐Ÿ“Š 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! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿš—

Imported Commodities

Refined petroleum, Cars, Iron ore, Milk, Iron pipes

Climate

๐ŸŒ Oman has a fascinating climate! Picture this: a dry desert landscape desert ๐ŸŒต, with hot and humid conditions along the coast ๐ŸŒŠ, while the interior is hot and dry ๐ŸŒž. 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. ๐Ÿฐ 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! ๐ŸŒโœจ

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! ๐Ÿ˜ฎ

  1. Council of State: This council has 87 seats where members provide suggestions and help with the laws.
  2. 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! ๐Ÿ“œ๐Ÿ‡ด๐Ÿ‡ฒ

Seats in Oman's Legislative Branch

Natural resources

๐ŸŒ Oman's Natural Treasures ๐ŸŒ

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! ๐Ÿ›ข๏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. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ
  • Limestone: Great for construction! ๐Ÿงฑ
  • Chromium: Important for making strong metals.
  • Gypsum: Used in making plasterboard and cement.
  • Natural Gas: A clean energy source! ๐Ÿ”ฅ

These resources play a significant role in Oman's economy and contribute to its development. ๐ŸŒฟ

Main Natural Resource

Petroleum

Number of Natural Resources Listed

8

Economic overview

Oman has a ๐ŸŽ‰ 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 ๐Ÿ’ฐ. 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 ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ, which helps to diversify its portfolio. A notable aspect of the economy is the high female labor force participation, empowering women in the workforce! ๐Ÿš€

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 ๐Ÿ‘‘! This means that the Sultan holds complete power over the country and its government. In an absolute monarchy, the rulerโ€™s 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

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿ‡ด๐Ÿ‡ฒ
  • Baluchi: Hailing from the Baluchistan region, they add a unique flavor to Oman's identity! ๐ŸŽ‰
  • South Asian: This group includes people from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. They contribute significantly to the workforce and daily life! ๐Ÿ’ผ
  • African: Adding even more diversity, this group enriches the cultural tapestry of Oman! ๐ŸŒˆ

Isn't it fascinating how these diverse backgrounds come together to create a vibrant Omani society? ๐Ÿ’–

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. ๐ŸŒ 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. ๐Ÿ•Œโœ๏ธ๐Ÿ•‰๏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! ๐Ÿ˜„ The official language is Arabic, which is used in government and education. But that's not all! ๐ŸŒ 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! ๐ŸŽ‰

Official Language

Arabic

Other Languages Spoken

5

Imports - partners

๐ŸŒ 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:

  • ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช UAE: 27%
  • ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Saudi Arabia: 11%
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India: 10%
  • ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ China: 9%
  • ๐Ÿ‡ถ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Qatar: 5%

This tells us that the UAE is the leading partner for imports, making a big chunk at 27%! ๐Ÿ“Š Letโ€™s dive into these figures and visualize them for a clearer perspective! ๐Ÿ“‰

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! ๐ŸŒ 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? ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Total Population of Oman

3,901,992

Area

Oman is a country with a total area of 309,500 sq km! ๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿž๏ธ

Total Area

309500 sq km

Land Area

309500 sq km

Water Area

0 sq km

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐Ÿ’ฐ Oman's Real GDP (PPP) Over the Years ๐Ÿ’ฐ

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! ๐Ÿ“ˆ 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. ๐ŸŒŸ

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

๐ŸŒ 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 ๐Ÿ’ต
  • 2022: $40,100 ๐Ÿ’ต
  • 2023 (estimated): $40,000 ๐Ÿ’ต

You can see how Oman's economy is performing over time. Itโ€™s like a rollercoaster of numbers! ๐ŸŽข

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 ๐Ÿ“ฆ

Oman has seen a steady increase in its imports over the past few years! ๐Ÿ“ˆ Hereโ€™s 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! ๐ŸŒโœจ

The growth in imports is not just numbersโ€”it represents more opportunities and more products for the people of Oman. ๐ŸŒŸ

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

๐Ÿ“Š Let's take a look at Oman's exports over the past few years. ๐ŸŒ 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? ๐Ÿ“ˆ

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

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿ“ˆ 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%