ABOUT OMAN

===BACKGROUND===

The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of his father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.

=== GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION ===

Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE

=== CLIMATE ===

dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south . colder time starts in november to march .

=== ETHNIC GROUPS ===

Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African



OMAN has a rich culture , friendly people and peaceful country .