Oman Country Handbook This handbook provides basic reference information on Oman, including its ge- ography, history, government, military forces, and communications and trans- portation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military per sonnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their assignment to Oman. The Marine Corps Intel ligence Activity is the community coordinator for the Country Hand book Program. This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense Intelligence Community position on Oman. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and government personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, NATO member countries, and other countries as required and designated for support of coalition operations. The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for research, comment, and information reporting, and are intended for fair use by designated personnel in their official duties, including local reproduction for training. Further dissemination of copyrighted material contained in this docu ment, to include excerpts and graphics, is strictly prohibited under Title 17, U.S. Code. ii CONTENTS KEY FACTS .................................................................... 1 U.S. MISSION ................................................................. 2 U.S. Embassy .............................................................. 2 Tourism ....................................................................... 2 Travel Advisories ........................................................ 3 Passport and Visa Requirements ................................. 3 Customs ...................................................................... 4 GEogrAPHY AND CLimATE .................................... 4 Geography ................................................................... 4 Statistics ................................................................ 4 Topography ............................................................ 6 Environment ............................................................... 11 TrANSporTATion AND CommuniCATion ......... 11 Transportation ............................................................. 11 Roads .................................................................... 11 Railroads ................................................................ 11 Maritime ................................................................ 12 Civil Aviation ......................................................... 15 Radio and Television .............................................. 15 Telephones .............................................................. 16 Newspapers ............................................................ 16 Satellites ................................................................. 17 CuLTurE ....................................................................... 17 People .......................................................................... 17 Education .................................................................... 17 Religion ....................................................................... 19 iii Contents (Continued) Customs ...................................................................... 20 Gestures ................................................................. 21 Basic Arab Religious Attitudes .............................. 21 Basic Arab Self-perceptions ................................... 22 Friendship .............................................................. 22 Professional Relationships ..................................... 24 Sensitive Subjects ................................................... 25 Personal Space ....................................................... 25 Hospitality .............................................................. 26 Family and Social Interaction ................................ 27 Rules of Etiquette ................................................... 28 MEDICAL ASSESSMENT ............................................. 30 Infectious Disease Risks to Deployed Personnel ........ 30 Medical Capabilities ................................................... 33 HiSTorY ......................................................................... 35 GovErnmENT AND POLITICS ................................. 40 Government ................................................................. 40 National Level ........................................................ 40 Local Level ............................................................ 41 Judicial Branch ....................................................... 41 Principal Government Officials ............................. 41 EConomY ..................................................................... 42 Statistics ...................................................................... 48 ArmED ForCES ........................................................... 49 Key Military Officials ................................................. 50 Army ........................................................................... 50 Equipment .............................................................. 51 Air Force ..................................................................... 53 Equipment .............................................................. 55 iv Contents (Continued) Mission and Doctrine ............................................. 56 Deployment ............................................................ 57 Aircraft Acquisition and Modernization ................ 57 Training .................................................................. 58 Gulf Cooperation Council ...................................... 58 Navy ............................................................................ 58 Deployment ............................................................ 59 Equipment .............................................................. 59 Plans and Programs ............................................... 60 Paramilitary Forces ..................................................... 60 Aircraft .................................................................. 60 Coast Guard ................................................................ 61 Ships ....................................................................... 61 APPENDICES Equipment Recognition .................................................... A-1 International Time Zones ................................................. B-1 Conversion Charts ............................................................ C-1 Holidays ........................................................................... D-1 Language .......................................................................... E-1 International Road Signs .................................................. F-1 Deployed Personnel’s Guide to Health Maintenance ....... G-1 Individual Protective Measures ........................................ H-1 Dangerous Plants and Animals ........................................ I-1 International Telephone Codes ......................................... J-1 v Contents (Continued) ILLUSTRATioNS Oman ................................................................................ vii National Flag .................................................................... 1 U.S. Embassy ................................................................... 3 Middle East ...................................................................... 5 Topography ....................................................................... 7 Land Use .......................................................................... 8 Hajir Mountains ............................................................... 9 Muscat and Salalah Weather ............................................ 10 Rural Highway ................................................................. 11 Muscat .............................................................................. 12 Container Cranes, Mina Qaboos ...................................... 13 Transportation .................................................................. 14 Population Density ........................................................... 18 Grand Mosque .................................................................. 19 Omani Man ...................................................................... 24 Omani Woman ................................................................. 26 Omani Boy ....................................................................... 27 Village .............................................................................. 28 Petroleum Refinery .......................................................... 42 Industry ............................................................................ 43 Palm Tree Farm ............................................................... 44 Fish Market ...................................................................... 45 Immigrant Workers .......................................................... 46 Agriculture ....................................................................... 47 vi ��� ��� ��� ��� ���� ����� ���������� ������ ���� ������� �������� ��������� ���� ������ ����� ������� �������� ������� ���� �������� ������ ������������ ������ ������������ ������� ���� ������������ ������ ��������� ������ ����������� ������������ ��������� ������ ���������� ����� ����������� ��� ������ ������ ������� ������������ �������� ����� �����