Oman

Introduction
The Sultanate of Oman is an independent country in the southeastern quarter of the Arabian peninsula. It is bordered by the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Its land borders are with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Located in the southeastern corner of the Arabian peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman has been viewed as strategically important due to its position at the mouth of the Gulf. At one time in the past it had its own empire stretching down the east coast of African and competed with Portugal and Britain for influence in the Gulf and Indian Ocean.
Oman controls a small area on the Musandam Peninsula which extends into the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. At one time controlled by the Portuguese, Oman has maintained its independence since 1650.

Climate
Oman is hot and dry with temperatures from 18°C to 34°C (64°F to 93°F).
The average rainfall in the country ranges from 76 to 102mm (3 to 4in) annually.
However, there are climactic variations: in the south along the coast, coconuts are grown while in the northern highlands, roses and grapes are produced.
Summers are extremely hot, with coastal temperatures reaching 46° C (115° F) and those in the interior even higher.

The winters are quite warm and the average annual temperature in Muscat is 29° C (84° F). The climate of the coastal plain and mountains of Dhofar is moderated by the monsoons that deposit annually about 760 mm (about 30 in) of rain on the south side of the mountains and about 150 mm (about 6 in) along the coast.

Parts of the Hajar Mountains receive up to 460 mm of rains (18 in), while Muscat receives less than 100 mm (4 in). Flash floods can take place when sudden and heavy rains run off the mountains towards the valleys. In Oman's interior summer winds cause large sandstorms which in turns cause periodic droughts. Monsoon winds can endanger shipping in the south.

Flora & fauna

Despite its arid nature, Oman is home to various types of plants and of plants and animals. Shrubs, grasses, hardy trees like the acacia grow naturally. Grapes and apricots are grown on the slopes of Al Jabal al Akhdar; coconut palms are also grown on the south side of the mountains in the Dhofar area as well as frankincense trees in the north. The Sultanate of Oman lacks truly fertile agricultural soils. However, the best soils available are the alluvial soils washed down from the mountains in the interior and along the coast alike.

Some of the richest fishing areas in the world are found off the coast of Oman; sardines and tuna are among the principal catches there.
Goats, some cattle and camels are raised in the Sultanate. As for wildlife, it includes many hundred species of lizards, snakes, scorpions and birds.
An environmentalist's dream, the government of Oman is keenly aware of its responsibility to preserve the plant and animal life of the sultanate. On a farm owned by the Sultan, the rare Arabian oryx (pictured) is bred for release into the wild. On the easternmost tip of the Arabian peninsula, a protected breeding ground for giant sea turtles has been set aside.

People
Oman's population of between 1.5 million and 2 million is an Arab one. Because of the country's history, however, there has been a great deal of intermingling between Omanis and other groups.

For over 200 years, there has been an Indian merchant community in Muscat and in the north it is usual to find people who are at least partly of Persian or Baluchi ancestry.

Air
The national carrier Oman Air is covering twelve international destination and two domestic destinations with a young fleet of Airbus A310s, B737 and ATRs. Offering the first ever intra-Gulf commuter services. Providing code sharing arrangements with leading international airlines to Zurich, Amman and Dubai. Today, the distinct 'Khanjar' of Oman Air is becoming an increasingly familiar sight at international airports.
Since our inception in 1993, we have been maintaining a very high standard of professionalism. Little wonder, Oman Air has created a niche for itself on all operating routes. The company with its team of dedicated and skilled workforce has earned an enviable reputation in the region.

Oman Air- the designated carrier of Sultanate of Oman is recognized for its strong market presence. Respected for its professional attitude. And recommended for its punctuality and service excellence.

Within the Sultanate, flights to Salalah from Muscat via Oman Aviation cost about OR32 one-way, OR64 return. There is a discount return fare available on weekends (OR48) and there is an extra flight each way on Wednesday and Friday.
Muscat to Sur is OR14 one-way and OR28 return.
Oman Aviation also flies to Khasab in Musandem and to Masirah Island, although tourists stand little chance of getting permission to visit either.

Visas
The Omani immigration authorities reserve the right to reject any applicant on arrival, even if the passenger meets all requirements as per the guideline.
Just a few years ago, Oman admitted no one -- even other Gulf Arabs -- without visas. That has all changed now and the sultanate was reckoned to receive some 50,000 tourists in 1995.

Tourism is still new in Oman and a cautious approach has been taken to promoting it. The government makes no secret of the fact that only tourists who are prepared to spend about $100 a night are the sort officialdom welcomes to Oman.

Unless you have a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) passport -- i.e. from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar or the United Arab Emirates -- you need a visa in order to enter the Sultanate of Oman. It is possible to get a two-year tourist or business visa that allows multiple entries and a maximum individual visit of six months.

Prior to your being issued a visa, however, you must get a No Objection Certificate (NOC). This is an official document stating that neither your Omani sponsor nor the government has any objection to your entering the country. (Note that NOCs are no longer necessary for US citizens.)

Once the NOC has been issued, you will be informed of its number and a telex or fax will be sent to the airline from the Omani Immigration Department quoting the number of the NOC and authorizing them to board you on the flight to Muscat. If the airline does not have this authorization, you will not be allowed to board the plane.
Once you arrive at the airport in Muscat, you must go to the NOC window where you will receive a small slip of paper which you take to passport control and exchange for a visa.

Evidence of travel to Israel will result in your being denied entry to Oman.
Getting the NOC

Some five-star hotels can arrange an NOC for businesspeople or tourists in about a week. Seeb International Airport is virtually the only place where this kind of NOC can be collected.

Women traveling alone do not seem to have any problem in getting an NOC. Occupations, however, are a different matter. A journalist might or might not get a visa even if he or she is only visiting the country for a holiday. A journalist planning to do any work at all in the country should go through the Ministry of Information. People of Palestinian origin are also likely to have difficulties getting an NOC.

In order to get a visa through a hotel, the procedure is fairly simple. Telex or fax the hotel, make a reservation and send them a copy of the first page of your passport. It is sometimes a good idea as well to include a list of countries you have visited in the past year. The hotel may also want four photos.

Be sure to give the hotel your exact arrival details and include a contact number so you can be informed when the NOC is ready. The hotel will add a small charge to your bill for this service; normally you will be required to stay at least three nights in the hotel which arranges your NOC.

In theory, visa extensions are available to tourists and businesspeople through their sponsors, but you will probably have to have a good reason for wanting one. Two-year Exit/Re-entry visas are not available for tourists and are not necessary for resident expatriates.

Site permits
In order to visit archaeological sites, old forts etc., it is necessary to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage in Muscat. They are easy to obtain from the Ministry which is in the same building as the Natural History Museum in the Ministries Area of Medinat Qaboos. In some cases, the permit needs to be signed by the provincial governor. To be on the safe side, ask directions to the governor's office and get his signature.

Road permits
In order to cross borders by land, a road permit is necessary. A road permit can be obtained in a few days through your sponsor. There is, however, a problem: the permits are not issued to single women. This is the only such travel restriction on single and/or unaccompanied women in the Sultanate.

When to visit
Oman is a country with dramatic mountain scenery and long pristine beaches, and it is well worth a visit.

The best time to visit Oman is between mid-October and mid-March. In the south the monsoon is from June to September, and so a visit in October when everything is lush and green will show the country at its very best.

The telephone system is excellent. To call Oman from abroad, the code is 968 followed by the local six-digit number. There are no area or city codes.