10 Things You Didn’t Know About Oman

Oman is a country located in the southeastern region of the Arabian Peninsula and is bordered by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The country is officially known as the Sultanate of Oman and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Middle East. Here are some facts not commonly known to many people.

1. It is the oldest independent state in the Arab world.

In its long history, Oman has been occupied by foreign powers who established protectorates or colonies in the Sultanate. The first European country to occupy and colonize Oman was Portugal which occupied the city of Muscat for 143 years between 1507 and 1650 when they were expelled by the Ottoman Empire which was later expelled by local Omani tribes. The country realized self-rule in 1741 making it the oldest independent state in the Arab World. In the 19th century, Britain unsuccessfully attempted to set up a colony in Oman. In contrast, the Sultanate established colonies along the East African coast stretching from Kenya’s northern coast to the north coast of Mozambique.

2. It's not a desert, but is instead home to lush, green, scenery.

Oman and the Middle East, in general, is synonymous with desert landscapes particularly due to the extensive Arabian Desert. While the desert landscape is true to some parts of Oman, it does not necessarily imply that the entire country is covered in desert. Northern Oman is home to the Al Hajar Mountains, which have the highest peaks in the country and create a tropic-like climate. The high altitude causes the surrounding region to receive the relatively high amount of rainfall which induces the growth of green vegetation.

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