Oman Adventure

Time: Time Zone: GMT + 4

Measurement: Metric

Currency: Omani Rial (RO)

Capital: Muscat

Government: Monarchy with a provisional legislature (the Majlis Ash Shura)

Head of State: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said

Major industries: Oil, natural gas, agriculture, fishing and tourism

Ruling body: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said is Head of State and rules by decree. He is assisted by a cabinet of ministers, Diwan of the Royal Court (the central body of bureaucratic affairs), and the Majlis Ash Shura, a body of representatives elected by the populace.

Population: Approximately 2.5 million. Approximately 1.5 million are Omani nationals. The remaining are expatriates from India, Asia, other Arab countries, Europe and USA.

Area: The Sultanate encompasses an area of 300,000 sq kms.

Airport: Seeb International Airport, 40 km from Muscat city centre.
Seeb International Airport, located in Muscat, serves many international airlines such as Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Swiss Air and Emirates. The national carrier is Oman Air, which flies to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, Sri Lanka and direct to the UK, as well as running domestic flights to Salalah, Masirah Island and Musandam.

Climate: The country's climate is predominantly arid and varies slightly 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. Milder weather dominates the mountains and Dhofar region all the year round. Winter temperatures can be as low as 15° Celsius (C) and summer temperatures can be as high as 46° C in Muscat and as high as 50° C in the desert.
Dhofar however, which is located in the southern region of the country, enjoys a regular monsoon between June and October every year.

Average Temperature in Oman (in Degree Celsius)

Best Time to Visit : The best time of the year to visit Oman is between October and April, when the weather is pleasantly warm in the day and cool in the evening. Temperatures average 25-35° C during the day, down to 17-19° C at night.

Religion: Islam, predominantly Ibadhi sect.

Language: Official language is Arabic. Other languages spoken include Urdu, Swahili and Baluchi. English is widely spoken and, along with Arabic, is the common business language. Most hotel staff speak German and French as well.

Culture: Like all the Arab countries, Arab Islamic Culture dominates the life-style in the Sultanate. However, being a cosmopolitan country, people of other nationalities have their own cultural presence.

National Dress: Men - dishdasha (robe), kimah (cap), mussar (turban)
Women - jallabia (dress), sirwall (trousers), thobe (overdress cloak), lahaf (head shawl), abaya (black cloak). Women generally leave their face and hands exposed, but in the desert, women of the Bedouin tribes wear a mask, called a "birqa."

Working Hours:

Ministries and government establishments - 0730 to 1430 (Saturday-Wednesday, week-end is Thursday and Friday)

Private sector companies - 0800 to 1300; 1600 to 1900 (Saturday-Wednesday) 0800 to 1300 on Thursdays.

Markets: 0800 to 1300, 1600 to 2100.

Banks: 0800 to 1300.

Shopping hours: Shopping establishments are open from 0900 to 1300 and from 1600 to 2100. Department stores, supermarkets and shopping complexes are generally open throughout the day (including during Ramadan) from 0900 to 2200, with a short lunch break all through the week, except on Fridays. These timings vary from shop to shop.

Ramadan: Ramadan, the Holy month of fasting, is the ninth month on the Arabic calendar (lunar). Every year Ramadan shifts back approximately ten days on the western calendar (solar). Independent restaurants and other eateries are closed during daylight hours during the Holy Ramadan period. Food is still available in most hotels. Alcohol is only available in hotel minibars.

Dress: Like any Muslim country it is important to treat the local culture with respect and this is particularly important when it comes to how to dress. Strappy tops and short dresses should not be worn in public places and, especially when visiting cultural places and more remote places, shoulders, ankles and arms should be covered.

Alcohol: Alcohol should not be taken to, or consumed in, public places, except for in hotels and restaurants that carry a liquor license.

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.