Oman

Oman is a country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia. Oman, a former maritime empire, is the oldest and most independent nation in the Arab world. Located at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, it borders Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, and shares maritime borders with Iran and Pakistan. The Arabian Sea to the southeast and the Gulf of Oman to the northeast form the coast. The Mada and Musandam Jumplands are bordered by the UAE and form the shores of the Strait of Hormuz (shared with Iran) and the Gulf of Oman. Muscat is its capital and largest city.

Since the 17th century, the Sultan of Oman has been an empire, competing with the Portuguese and British empires for influence in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. At the peak of the 19th century, Oman's influence or dominance extended beyond the Strait of Hormuz to modern-day Iran, Pakistan, and even Zanzibar. When power declined in the 20th century, the sultan was under British influence. For more than 300 years, the relationship between the two empires was based on mutual benefit. The United Kingdom recognized Oman's geographical importance as a trading center that secured trade routes through the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean and protected the Indian subcontinent. Historically, Muscat was a major trading port in the Persian Gulf.

Sultan Qaboos bin Said was the hereditary leader of the absolute monarchy from 1970 until his death on 10 January 2020. According to the rules of succession of the Sultanate of Oman, the son of the Sultan is usually the new emperor. Since Sultan Qaboos bin Said had no children, his successor declared in his last will and testament which member of the dynasty was considered the most suitable. Therefore, after Kabut's death, the Sultan's family named his cousin Haitham bin Tariq the new Sultan of Oman.

Oman is a member of the United Nations, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Oil reserves are ranked 22nd in the world. In 2010, the United Nations Development Program ranked Oman as one of the most developed countries in the world in terms of development over the last 40 years. Part of its economy includes tourism and trade in fish, dates and other agricultural products. Oman is classified as a high-income economy and the 69th most peaceful country in the world according to the World Peace Index.