| In
630, Oman embraced Islam just 8 years after it
was revealed to the world by the prophet Muhammed.
Over the next several hundred years, Oman expanded
its commercial holdings extending all the way
to Zanzibar.
Since
the accession of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin
Said in 1970, Oman has thrived, adopting the best
features of modern technology while keeping its
own heritage and unique culture very much alive.
Modern
Oman is divided into eight administrative region,
3 Governorates i.e., Muscat, Dhofar & Musandam
and 5 Regions i.e., Batinah, Dhahira, Dakhliyah,
Sharqiyah & Al Wustah. Each of these is further
subdivided into districts (Wilayat).
The
hottest months in Oman are June through August.
The summer monsoon just touches the southern coast
of Dhofar bringing light rain during these months
(The Kharif). The most pleasant months to visit
Oman are mid of October through March when daytime
temperatures fall in to the lower 30's and below.
A
legacy that has been passed on from generation
to generation; the art, the culture, the folklore
and the artistry has to be seen. But there is
much more in the heart of Oman to explore: the
sense of respect for time, for people, and for
nature.
For
its size, Oman boasts an unprecedented number
of UNESCO-classified World Heritage Sites including
Al-Blaid; site of the ancient city of Zafar, Bat—with
its tombs dating back 3,000 years, Bahla Fort,
and R'as Al-Hadd; home to the rare Green Sea Turtle.
Oman's
heritage features a prominent sea-faring tradition,
as one would expect from a country with 1,700
Km of coastline.
Muscat
is the capital of Oman; a cosmopolitan, but relaxed
city, free from the hustle and bustle found in
many of Arabia's other capital cities. Today under
the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin
Said, Muscat has become a modern city, but has
never lost its pride in its heritage and culture.
The
capital area is a prime example of intelligent
and aesthetic development, blending the ancient
and modern times.
Muscat
has a number of beautiful beaches, public gardens
and parks. Muscat rose to importance with the
Portuguese occupation of the Persian Gulf, and
is noted for the extent of Portuguese ruins about
it.
Two
lofty forts, of which the most easterly is called
Jalali and the western Merani, occupy the summits
of hills on either side the cove overlooking the
town; and beyond them on the seaward side are
two smaller defensive works called Sirat. All
these are ruinous low sandy isthmus connects the
rock and fortress of Jalali with the mainland.
Muscat
has many places of interest, especially museums
and fort showing history of Muscat. But the current
development has changed the city into an interesting
combination of old and modern with a beautiful
scenery of mountain and beaches.
Click
below for more information on Oman:
Ministry
of Information
http://www.omanet.om/flash.html
Royal
Oman Police
http://www.rop.gov.om
Ministry
of Foreign Affairs
http://www.mofa.gov.om/
Official Ministry Of Tourism site
http://www.omantourism.gov.om/
Ministry Of Information site
http://www.omanet.om/english/home.asp
Andy Carvin's Muscat Photo Gallery
http://www.edwebproject.org/oman-dubai/muscat.html
Muscat, Oman Web Directory
http://oman.cities-guide.net/muscat/
Photo galleries and videos from Muscat
http://www.ianandwendy.com/OtherTrips/UAE-Oman/Oman/
Useful information about Oman http://www.apexstuff.com/common/omanessentials.asp
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