Oman — a typical Arab state, small but very rich thanks to the deposits of natural resources found on these lands. True, oil is not endless, and these days the government of Oman is already beginning to find new sources of income so that the country does not go bankrupt when the oil runs out.
Facts about Oman
- Oman receives extremely little rainfall, and in some regions of the country it rains only a few times a year.
- Scientists believe that in ancient times, the main route for the settlement of people from Africa to different parts of Asia ran through the coast of Oman (interesting facts about Africa).
- Entry of tourists to Oman was allowed only in the late 1980s.
- Only 0.2% of Omani consider themselves atheists.
- Oman is an absolute monarchy, where the Sultan is not a decorative figure, but the real leader of the country and head of government. He also heads the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance.
- After the death of the Sultan, the ruling family of Oman must decide on the candidacy of his successor within 3 days. If this does not happen, relatives open the letter of the late ruler with his recommendations regarding the heir to the throne.
- Political parties are banned in Oman, and the last elections in the Sultanate were held in the fall of 2011.
- The State Council of Oman consists of 83 members, and in order to maintain equality, it includes both women and men.
- Inhabitants of Oman are not very interested in work – about 70% of the labor force in the country are foreigners. A similar situation is observed in Qatar (interesting facts about Qatar).
- A short wide dagger is an obligatory detail of an Omani man’s costume.
- Among Omani women, blue tattoos on the face and arms are common, and also ear and nose earrings.
- The favorite delicacy of the people of Oman is hyena meat. Addiction to this food is not found in any other country in the Arab world.
- One of the national musical instruments of the Omanis is the rabab violin with a single string.
- In Oman, the teaching of Islam is a compulsory school subject.
- There is virtually no crime, unemployment or poverty in Oman.
- Omanis are exempt from paying taxes.
- Thursday and Friday are public holidays in Oman.
- The government of Oman has approved a list of 26 professions that are inaccessible to foreigners. For example, taxi drivers can only be Omani by nationality.
- The door of the National Bank of Oman is cast from solid gold.
- The fabulous merchant and traveler Sinbad the Sailor was originally from Oman.
- It is not customary in Oman to show bare heels in public, as locals consider it disrespectful.
- One of the most popular places in Oman are the incense markets.
- Omani women, on average, produce light 5-6 children.
- Omanis have the right to free medicine, education (including in foreign universities) and land for building a house.
- Thanks to the discovery of rich oil reserves, Oman for 3 a decade has turned from a seedy state with medieval orders and infrastructure into one of the economic leaders of the modern world (interesting facts about oil).
- To buy alcohol in Oman, you need to get permission from the police, and Muslims can get such paper legally fail.