This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Oman
Introduction Oman
Background:
The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian
Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate
in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with
Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and
military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony.
In 1970, QABOOS bin Said al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of
his father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive
modernization program has opened the country to the outside world
while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's
moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good
relations with all Middle Eastern countries.
Geography Oman
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian
Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Geographic coordinates:
21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 212,460 sq km
land: 212,460 sq km
water: 0 sq km