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

Area
Total: 212,460 sq km
Comparative: slightly smaller
than Kansas

Land boundaries
Total: 1,374 km
Border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km,
UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km

Coastline
2,092 km

Climate
Dry desert; hot, humid along coast;
hot, dry interior; strong southwest
summer monsoon (May to
September) in far south

Terrain
Central desert plain, rugged
mountains in north and south

Elevation extremes
Lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m
Highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m

Natural resources
Ppetroleum, copper, asbestos,
some marble, limestone, chromium,
gypsum, natural gas

Population
2,713,462
(note: includes 527,078 non-nationals (July 2002 est.))

Ethnic groups
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian
(Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan,
Bangladeshi), African

Religions
Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim,
Shi'a Muslim, Hindu

Languages
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi,
Urdu, Indian dialects

Government type
Monarchy

Capital
Muscat

Military branches
Royal Omani Armed Forces (Army,
Navy, Air Force), Royal Omani Police

Military manpower
Availability: males age 15-49:
780,292 (2002 est.)
Fit for military service: males
age 15-49: 434,026 (2002 est.)

Military expenditures
Dollar figure: $2,424,400,000 (FY01)
Percent of GDP: 12.2% (FY01)