|
Area
300,000 sq.km. A mountainous land on the southeast coast of Arabia and the
strategic tip of the Musandam Peninsula that dominates the entrance to the
Arabian/Persian Gulf.
|
Population |
Ann.Gr. |
Density |
|
2000 |
2,541,739 |
+3.35% |
8 per sq. km. |
|
2010 |
3,517,471 |
+3.28% |
12 per sq. km. |
|
2025 |
5,351,885 |
+2.55% |
18 per sq. km. |
Capital
Muscat. Muscat urban area pop: 600,000. Urbanites 72%.
About 27% of the population and
65% of the workforce are foreign. Percentages below are estimates:
Arab 67.1%. Mostly
Omani, also Gulf State Arab, Saudi Arabian, Egyptian, Jordanian,
Palestinian. Also Swahili-speaking groups.
South Asian 21%.
Including Indian, Pakistani (Baluch), Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan.
Mahra 5.1%. Two non-Arab
indigenous minorities.
Iranian 2.8%.
Other 4%. Filipino,
African, European, North American.
Literacy 67.1%.
Official language Arabic. All languages 13. Languages with
Scripture 2Bi 2por 1w.i.p.
A latecomer as
a Middle Eastern oil producer. Oil revenues finance agricultural and
industrial diversification. Oil wealth has been distributed wisely for the
improvement of living standards. Unemployment 12% among nationals.
HDI 0.725; 89th/174. Public debt 18.6% of GNP.
Income/person $6,050 (19.2% of USA).
An isolated feudal monarchy
until 1970; a benevolent absolute monarchy since then when the Sultan was
ousted by his son. No political parties permitted, but there is considerable
personal freedom and political stability. One of the most socially
progressive nations in the region.
Ibadi Islam is
the state religion. Churches and church activities for the expatriate
communities are permitted, but proselytising Muslims is forbidden. The
Sultan has consistently opposed fanatical Islam since his reign began in
1970.
|
Religions |
Population % |
Adherents |
|
Muslim |
92.66 |
2,355,175 |
|
Hindu |
3.00 |
76,252 |
|
Christian |
2.54 |
64,560 |
|
Buddhist |
1.20 |
30,501 |
|
non-Religious/other |
0.40 |
10,167 |
|
Baha'i |
0.20 |
5,083 |
|
Christians |
Denom. |
Affil.% |
,000 |
|
Protestant |
21 |
0.24 |
6 |
|
Anglican |
1 |
0.14 |
4 |
|
Catholic |
1 |
1.22 |
31 |
|
Orthodox |
3 |
0.14 |
4 |
|
Unaffiliated |
|
0.80 |
20 |
|
Churches |
Cong. |
Members |
Affiliates |
|
Catholic |
21 |
19,872 |
31,000 |
|
Orthodox [3] |
13 |
2,632 |
3,500 |
|
Anglican |
3 |
1,296 |
3,500 |
|
Mar Thoma |
7 |
804 |
1,850 |
|
S. Asian Prot grps [5] |
8 |
500 |
1,000 |
|
Pentecostal groups [6] |
12 |
600 |
900 |
|
Protestant Ch in Oman |
4 |
350 |
875 |
|
Other denoms [8] |
22 |
804 |
1,370 |
|
Total Christians [26] |
90 |
26,858 |
44,000 |
| |
CIA World Factbook
(http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/mu.html) |
| |
Country profile, with only
very brief information on religion or society. |
| |
Brief, largely statistical
information on geography, people, government, economy, and more. |
| |
World Skip - Oman
(http://www.worldskip.com/region.asp?PartnerID=&RegionID=om) |
| |
News, information, products
and services from every nation on earth. |
| |
Sultanate of Oman Home
Page
(http://members.tripod.com/~omanpage) |
| |
A variety of information on
the country and culture, with photos. An official website. |
| |
Julands
Omani Oasis
(www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/2692) |
| |
History, society, culture,
links. |
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