تويت
[align=left]Location
Located on the south-eastern tip of the Arabian peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman's 1,700 km coastline extends from the Straits of Hormuz in the north to the Arabian sea in the south. To its west, lie the United Arab Emirates, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen.
Area:
The Sultanate encompasses an area of 300,000 sq kms.
Population:
The population is 2.017 Million (1993)
Muscat City Center
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Climate
The Sultanate's climate varies from one region to another. In the coastal areas, the weather is hot and humid during the summer months, while it is dry elsewhere in the interior. Mild weather dominates the mountains and Dhofar region all the year round. Winter which extends from November to March is a lovely, rather warm season with rain all over the country.
There is no regular monsoon in the Sultanate, although some regions receive scanty rainfall. Dhofar, located in the southern tip of the Sultanate however, enjoys a regular monsoon between June and October, every year
Nature in Oman
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1. Muscat:
Muscat city, once a thriving and strategically located port of the Arabian peninsula in ancient times, slid into oblivion in the early 20th century. Today, it is the capital of the Sultanate and has been restored to its former glory. It comprises a group of residential quarters and suburbs -- Muttrah, Ruwi, Sidab, Al Seeb, Bowshar and Quryat.
Muscat's quaint old buildings co-exist with modern new commercial and residential quarters giving the city an ambience of its own. In Ruwi, the commercial centre of the city, are located private sector establishments and business organizations, besides retail shops which market electronic goods, jewellery, garments and other items. Also located in this part of the city are fancy shopping like Sabco, Capital Commercial and Oman Commercial Centres. Not far away is the bustling, old Muttrah souq where the tourist can buy traditional Omani crafts, frankincense and silver jewellery as keepsakes.
Muscat city is a haven for tourists. Quaint gardens and modern children's parks beckon the tourist, as do the quiet, secluded beaches at Al Bustan, Al Qurum and Qantab.
The two imposing forts around Muscat add to the atmosphere. The forts at Jalali and Mirani are steeped in tradition and were built by the Portuguese in the 17th century.
Muscat
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2- The Interior:
http://www.brunet.bn/php/kharti/souk.jpg
Nizwa Market (Interior)
The stretch which extends to the desert just below the Jebel Akhdar in the north of the Sultanate, is loosely termed as the ''interior'. The oasis city of Nizwa, the region's most popular town was once the old capital of Oman. Today, it remains a major tourist attraction with its historical buildings and imposing fort built by Imam Sultan bin Saif in 1668 AD. The town boasts of the falaj Daris (traditional irrigation system) and its bustling souq situated near a gnarled old tree, where tourists can buy exquisite copper and silver jewellery, dates and even goats on certain days!
Bahla, 35 kms west of Nizwa is replete with the ambience of a traditional Oman town. Its ancient fort, encircled by a 12 km long winding wall guards the town and its wealth of palm groves. The fort believed to be built in pre-Islamic days is now on a UNESCO World Heritage list. Bahla is famous for its pottery and for its elegant Jabrin fort built as a palace in 1670 by Imam Bal Arab bin Sultan. Its beautifully painted ceilings, its architectural style and the poetry engraved on its walls, reflect the culture of bygone eras.
En route to Nizwa from Muscat is Fanja village, well-known for its camet weavers.
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3- The Eastern Region:
Wadi Ban Khalid (Eastern region)
At the eastem tip of the Jebel Al Hajar are vast sandy plains criss-crossed by innumerable wadis. The Wahiba sands lie south of this area and the Jaalan territory borders its south eastern side. The historic port of Sur remains the chief town of this region, and is especially noted for fishing and for the old Omani traditional trade of shipbuilding. Fifteen kilometres away stands Kalhat, home to the ancient Bibi Mariam mosque. Another notable town on the Muscat-Sur road is Al Mudairib characterised by its quaint buildings, the designs of which have remained unchanged for centuries. For more hectic commercial activity, however, people in this region converge on bra, a fair-sized town, 180 kms from Muscat. Tourists will find a number of old historic forts and mosques in this area.
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4- Al Batina Region:
A visit to this coastal area with its abundance of fertile green plains forms a welcome relief to the rest of the Sultanate. The quiet old coastal city of Sohar was once an important Islamic sea port. It is especially noted for its 17th century fort built by Imam Nasser bin Murshid Al Yaarabi.
In this region is Barka town, better known for its traditional weaving industry and for its spectacular and adventurous bullfight sports. Standing amidst a green oasis is the ancient town of Rustaq. Lush foliage and scenic wadis watered by the perennial springs at Al kasfa surround this town. Another fortress stands regal at Rustaq, its history dating back to the Sassanid era.
Architectural enthusiasts can take time off to study the distinctive style of the Al Hazm fortress, constructed by Imam Sultan bin Saif the Second in 1708 AD.
Wilayat Al Rustaq (Al batina)
5- Al Dhahira Region:
In the northern part of the Sultanate lie Ibri, Buraimi, Yanqul and Danak, the four important towns of the Al Dhahira region. Buraimi, a hitherto quiet and mral town, is now flooded by a host of modern amenities from neighboring Al Am city, a modern holiday destination in the UAE. Buraimi's old fort stands sentinel to this change.
An abundance of foliage and fresh water pools mark the charming oasis of Ibri. The townspeople here manufacture textiles and waterskins from camel hide for a living.
Archaeologists have discovered an ancient burial ground in the neighbouring district of Bat, believed to date back to 4,000 B.C. Al Sulaif village with its traditional buildings and the "land of secret", the Al Ghabi region in Al Iraqi district are also located in this area.
6- The Central Region:
Oryx (Central Region)
At the centre of the Sultanate and bordered by Saudi Arabia on its west is a semi-desert land, home to several species of wild cows, gazelles and the graceful oryx. Nomadic tribes inhabit this land making a livelihood by breeding cattle and fishing along the 400-km long coastal region, lapped by the Arabian sea. Haima is the region's most important wilayat, strategically located on the road to the Governorate of Dhof ar.
Al Duqm district with its breathtaking coast and exotic birdlife (flamingoes inhabit this area) is an ideal camping ground for adventurous tourists. The coastal district of Al Ghazir, the gazelles and wildfowls which roam this area are other attractions in this region.
7- Dhofar Governorate:
Al-Nabi Ayoub Mosque (Dhofar)
At the southern end of the Sultanate and facing the Arabian sea is the Dhofar region. Comprising one-third of the total land area of the Sultanate, the Dhofar area is marked by a mild climate, its mountains catching a seasonal rainfall between June and September every year. The garden city of Salalah, the Sultanate's summer capital, is a major tourist centre as well as the most important town of this region. Its lush coconut plantations which grow right to the water's edge, the mgged beauty of its fertile plains, its freshwater springs, its bustling souq and salubrious landscape leave a lasting impression on the travellers mind.
Centuries earlier, the Jebalis, as the mountain people of Dhofar are called, acquired their wealth from the sale of frankincense, which was sold to distant Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome. Raysut, with its fine golden sandy beaches is the other important town in this region. Thirty five kms away from Salalah is Taqa, a fishing town befler known for its sardines. Mirbat, which still trades in incense is also the starting point of the caravan desert route to Syria and Iraq, via Yemen.
Ruins of the palace of the legendary Queen of Sheba stand along the creek of khor Ron, a little over 3 kms from Taqa. Overlooking this are the remains of an ancient temple believed to be dedicated to the Moon God in the 2nd century BC, and the ruined town of Samaharam.
8- Musandam Governorate:
At the northern end of the Suitanate is the Musandam region, which overlooks the Straits of Hormuz. Musandam is segregated from the rest of the country by the UAE, but is accessible however, by internal flights operated by Oman Aviation and by road. Khasab town with its 17th century fort and its date plantations, is the principal town of this region. Another place worth a visit is the seaside town of Bukha.
Musandam [/align][/align]
Located on the south-eastern tip of the Arabian peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman's 1,700 km coastline extends from the Straits of Hormuz in the north to the Arabian sea in the south. To its west, lie the United Arab Emirates, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen.
Area:
The Sultanate encompasses an area of 300,000 sq kms.
Population:
The population is 2.017 Million (1993)
Muscat City Center
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Climate
The Sultanate's climate varies from one region to another. In the coastal areas, the weather is hot and humid during the summer months, while it is dry elsewhere in the interior. Mild weather dominates the mountains and Dhofar region all the year round. Winter which extends from November to March is a lovely, rather warm season with rain all over the country.
There is no regular monsoon in the Sultanate, although some regions receive scanty rainfall. Dhofar, located in the southern tip of the Sultanate however, enjoys a regular monsoon between June and October, every year
Nature in Oman
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1. Muscat:
Muscat city, once a thriving and strategically located port of the Arabian peninsula in ancient times, slid into oblivion in the early 20th century. Today, it is the capital of the Sultanate and has been restored to its former glory. It comprises a group of residential quarters and suburbs -- Muttrah, Ruwi, Sidab, Al Seeb, Bowshar and Quryat.
Muscat's quaint old buildings co-exist with modern new commercial and residential quarters giving the city an ambience of its own. In Ruwi, the commercial centre of the city, are located private sector establishments and business organizations, besides retail shops which market electronic goods, jewellery, garments and other items. Also located in this part of the city are fancy shopping like Sabco, Capital Commercial and Oman Commercial Centres. Not far away is the bustling, old Muttrah souq where the tourist can buy traditional Omani crafts, frankincense and silver jewellery as keepsakes.
Muscat city is a haven for tourists. Quaint gardens and modern children's parks beckon the tourist, as do the quiet, secluded beaches at Al Bustan, Al Qurum and Qantab.
The two imposing forts around Muscat add to the atmosphere. The forts at Jalali and Mirani are steeped in tradition and were built by the Portuguese in the 17th century.
Muscat
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2- The Interior:
http://www.brunet.bn/php/kharti/souk.jpg
Nizwa Market (Interior)
The stretch which extends to the desert just below the Jebel Akhdar in the north of the Sultanate, is loosely termed as the ''interior'. The oasis city of Nizwa, the region's most popular town was once the old capital of Oman. Today, it remains a major tourist attraction with its historical buildings and imposing fort built by Imam Sultan bin Saif in 1668 AD. The town boasts of the falaj Daris (traditional irrigation system) and its bustling souq situated near a gnarled old tree, where tourists can buy exquisite copper and silver jewellery, dates and even goats on certain days!
Bahla, 35 kms west of Nizwa is replete with the ambience of a traditional Oman town. Its ancient fort, encircled by a 12 km long winding wall guards the town and its wealth of palm groves. The fort believed to be built in pre-Islamic days is now on a UNESCO World Heritage list. Bahla is famous for its pottery and for its elegant Jabrin fort built as a palace in 1670 by Imam Bal Arab bin Sultan. Its beautifully painted ceilings, its architectural style and the poetry engraved on its walls, reflect the culture of bygone eras.
En route to Nizwa from Muscat is Fanja village, well-known for its camet weavers.
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3- The Eastern Region:
Wadi Ban Khalid (Eastern region)
At the eastem tip of the Jebel Al Hajar are vast sandy plains criss-crossed by innumerable wadis. The Wahiba sands lie south of this area and the Jaalan territory borders its south eastern side. The historic port of Sur remains the chief town of this region, and is especially noted for fishing and for the old Omani traditional trade of shipbuilding. Fifteen kilometres away stands Kalhat, home to the ancient Bibi Mariam mosque. Another notable town on the Muscat-Sur road is Al Mudairib characterised by its quaint buildings, the designs of which have remained unchanged for centuries. For more hectic commercial activity, however, people in this region converge on bra, a fair-sized town, 180 kms from Muscat. Tourists will find a number of old historic forts and mosques in this area.
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4- Al Batina Region:
A visit to this coastal area with its abundance of fertile green plains forms a welcome relief to the rest of the Sultanate. The quiet old coastal city of Sohar was once an important Islamic sea port. It is especially noted for its 17th century fort built by Imam Nasser bin Murshid Al Yaarabi.
In this region is Barka town, better known for its traditional weaving industry and for its spectacular and adventurous bullfight sports. Standing amidst a green oasis is the ancient town of Rustaq. Lush foliage and scenic wadis watered by the perennial springs at Al kasfa surround this town. Another fortress stands regal at Rustaq, its history dating back to the Sassanid era.
Architectural enthusiasts can take time off to study the distinctive style of the Al Hazm fortress, constructed by Imam Sultan bin Saif the Second in 1708 AD.
Wilayat Al Rustaq (Al batina)
5- Al Dhahira Region:
In the northern part of the Sultanate lie Ibri, Buraimi, Yanqul and Danak, the four important towns of the Al Dhahira region. Buraimi, a hitherto quiet and mral town, is now flooded by a host of modern amenities from neighboring Al Am city, a modern holiday destination in the UAE. Buraimi's old fort stands sentinel to this change.
An abundance of foliage and fresh water pools mark the charming oasis of Ibri. The townspeople here manufacture textiles and waterskins from camel hide for a living.
Archaeologists have discovered an ancient burial ground in the neighbouring district of Bat, believed to date back to 4,000 B.C. Al Sulaif village with its traditional buildings and the "land of secret", the Al Ghabi region in Al Iraqi district are also located in this area.
6- The Central Region:
Oryx (Central Region)
At the centre of the Sultanate and bordered by Saudi Arabia on its west is a semi-desert land, home to several species of wild cows, gazelles and the graceful oryx. Nomadic tribes inhabit this land making a livelihood by breeding cattle and fishing along the 400-km long coastal region, lapped by the Arabian sea. Haima is the region's most important wilayat, strategically located on the road to the Governorate of Dhof ar.
Al Duqm district with its breathtaking coast and exotic birdlife (flamingoes inhabit this area) is an ideal camping ground for adventurous tourists. The coastal district of Al Ghazir, the gazelles and wildfowls which roam this area are other attractions in this region.
7- Dhofar Governorate:
Al-Nabi Ayoub Mosque (Dhofar)
At the southern end of the Sultanate and facing the Arabian sea is the Dhofar region. Comprising one-third of the total land area of the Sultanate, the Dhofar area is marked by a mild climate, its mountains catching a seasonal rainfall between June and September every year. The garden city of Salalah, the Sultanate's summer capital, is a major tourist centre as well as the most important town of this region. Its lush coconut plantations which grow right to the water's edge, the mgged beauty of its fertile plains, its freshwater springs, its bustling souq and salubrious landscape leave a lasting impression on the travellers mind.
Centuries earlier, the Jebalis, as the mountain people of Dhofar are called, acquired their wealth from the sale of frankincense, which was sold to distant Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome. Raysut, with its fine golden sandy beaches is the other important town in this region. Thirty five kms away from Salalah is Taqa, a fishing town befler known for its sardines. Mirbat, which still trades in incense is also the starting point of the caravan desert route to Syria and Iraq, via Yemen.
Ruins of the palace of the legendary Queen of Sheba stand along the creek of khor Ron, a little over 3 kms from Taqa. Overlooking this are the remains of an ancient temple believed to be dedicated to the Moon God in the 2nd century BC, and the ruined town of Samaharam.
8- Musandam Governorate:
At the northern end of the Suitanate is the Musandam region, which overlooks the Straits of Hormuz. Musandam is segregated from the rest of the country by the UAE, but is accessible however, by internal flights operated by Oman Aviation and by road. Khasab town with its 17th century fort and its date plantations, is the principal town of this region. Another place worth a visit is the seaside town of Bukha.
Musandam [/align][/align]
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