Oman
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Government
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Directorate General of Tourism for Oman - the Essence
of Arabia. "A land blessed with natural wonders, a
proud and friendly people with a rich cultural heritage,
and a beautifully preserved Arabian environment, yet with
all the modern amenities you would expect from one of the
world's most sophisticated holiday destinations."
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Omanet.
The Ministry of Information, Government of Oman.
"The Sultanate of Oman is located on the southeast of the
Arabian Peninsula and has an area of approximately
309,500km2. It is bordered on the west by Saudi Arabia, to
the northwest lie the United Arab Emirates and to the
southwest is Yemen. The east coast meets with the Arabian
Sea and the Gulf of Oman. The capital of Oman is Muscat, a
cosmopolitan, but relaxed city, free from the hustle and
bustle found in many of Arabia's other capital cities. In
the south of the Sultanate, is Salalah, the administrative
capital of the Dhofar region.
Oman is a surprisingly green country, particularly in
Dhofar, due to its location on the monsoon paths.
Landscaping and beautification are priorities of the
Municipalities, and gardens, parks and grassy knolls line
the main highway. The countryside is varied, from rugged
mountain ranges to desert sands, to green, lush wadis
(riverbeds). The climate in Muscat is markedly different
to that in Dhofar: during the winter, Muscat enjoys
temperatures of, average, 300C, dropping to around 180 C
at night. However, in the summer, Muscat bakes in 45-480
C, while Dhofar cools down in the light monsoon rain.
The Omani people are friendly and welcoming to visitors.
Although Arabic is their main language, English is spoken
frequently and is often used as the lingua franca. Despite
their relaxed air, the Omanis are quite conservative
people and respect for their privacy and, in particular,
their religion, should always be observed. Modesty is the
keyword in how to dress. Women should wear loose, long
garments, ensuring that their shoulders and knees are
covered. Men should wear long trousers and tops with
sleeves. Swimming costumes are fine for the beach or the
pool. During the holy month of Ramadhan (from Nov 28,
2000, date approximate), all Muslims fast during the hours
of daylight. Visitors to the country should remember
that eating, drinking and smoking is not allowed in public
at this time."
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