Oman is a site of pre-historic human habitation,stretching back over 100,000 years. The region was impacted by powerful invaders,including other Arab tribes,Portugal and Britain. Oman,at its height,held holdings that ranged from the Persian Gulf all the way south to the island of Madagascar,some notable holdings include;the island of Zanzibar,the city of Mogadishu and the city of Gwadar.
Muscat is the capital and most populated city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI),the total population of Muscat Governorate was 1.72 million as of September 2022. The metropolitan area spans approximately 3,500 km2 (1,400 sq mi) and includes six provinces called wilayats,making it the largest city in the Arabian Peninsula by area. Known since the early 1st century AD as an important trading port between the west and the east,Muscat was ruled by various indigenous tribes as well as foreign powers such as the Persians,the Portuguese Empire and the Ottoman Empire at various points in its history. A regional military power in the 18th century,Muscat's influence extended as far as East Africa and Zanzibar. As an important port-town in the Gulf of Oman,Muscat attracted foreign traders and settlers such as the Persians,Balochs and Sindhis. Since the accession of Qaboos bin Said as Sultan of Oman in 1970,Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructural development that has led to the growth of a vibrant economy and a multi-ethnic society. Muscat is termed as a Beta - Global City by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.
Qaboos bin Said Al Said was Sultan of Oman from 23 July 1970 until his death in 2020. A fifteenth-generation descendant of the founder of the House of Al Said,he was the longest-serving leader in the Middle East and Arab world at the time of his death,having ruled for almost half a century.
The Sultanate of Muscat and Oman,also known briefly as the State of Muscat and Oman during the rule of Taimur bin Feisal,was a sovereign state that encompassed the present-day Sultanate of Oman and parts of present-day United Arab Emirates and Pakistan,in the second half of the 19th century and 20th century. Ruled by the Busaid dynasty,it was established as a result of the partition of the Omani Empire upon the death of its last ruler Said bin Sultan. The Sultanate transitioned into a new form of government after the palace coup of 23 July 1970 in which the sultan Said bin Taimur was immediately deposed in favor of his son Qaboos bin Said.
Al-Seeb,As Seeb or As Sib is a coastal fishing province,located several kilometres northwest of Muscat,in northeastern Oman. At the 2020 census,it had a population of 470,878.
The Royal Army of Oman is the ground forces component of the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces. It was founded in 1907 as the Muscat Garrison. It has a current strength of 35,000 personnel.
The Sultan Qaboos Cup,also known as the HM's Cup,is Oman's premier knockout tournament for men's football. It was officially founded in 1972 and the champions of that first edition were Al-Ahli. It was briefly known as Oman Cup. Currently,the most successful club in the league is Dhofar with a total of eleven titles to their name,with the latest win at the 2023–24 season.
The Sultan's Armed Forces Museum is a military history museum,located in the 150-year-old Bait Al Falaj Fort,once the headquarters for Sultan Said bin Sultan's Armed Forces,located on Al Mujamma Street,in the Ruwi area near Muscat,Oman. It was graciously inaugurated in 1988 by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos,who was supreme commander of the Armed Forces until his death in 2020.
The 2011 Omani protests were a series of protests in the Persian Gulf country of Oman that occurred as part of the revolutionary wave popularly known as the "Arab Spring".
Internal Security Service is the national security agency of the Sultanate of Oman. The agency focuses solely upon domestic security while foreign intelligence operations is specifically handled by the Palace Office,which controls external security and coordinates all intelligence and security policies.
The Foreign Ministry is the government body in the Sultanate of Oman responsible for organising and directing Oman's relations with other countries and with regional and international organisations.
In line with the Arab League position in relation to Israel,Oman does not officially recognize the state of Israel and took part in the boycott of Israel during much of the 20th century.
Haitham bin Tariq Al Said is Sultan and Prime Minister of Oman.
The 2015–16 Sultan Qaboos Cup is the 43rd edition of the Sultan Qaboos Cup,the premier knockout tournament for football teams in Oman.
The Royal Office is one of the most senior and therefore powerful ministries in the Sultanate of Oman. It is a government body that has most influence in national security and intelligence issues and the minister in charge has been the de facto national security advisor to the Sultan. The Palace Office also acts as a foreign liaison focus on all international intelligence and security matters.
The 1970 Omani coup d'état was the overthrow of Sultan of Oman Said bin Taimur by his son Qaboos bin Said in Oman on 23 July 1970. Occurring in the midst of the Dhofar War,the palace coup was executed with the British and saw Sultan Said bin Taimur deposed and sent into exile to the United Kingdom. The coup was a pivotal moment in modern Omani history as Qaboos swiftly set in motion numerous wide-ranging modernization reforms in the kingdom,transforming Oman from an underdeveloped backwater into a country on par with many Western nations in terms of political stability and economic development. At the time of his death in January 2020,Sultan Qaboos was the longest-serving ruler in the Middle East.
National Day is an official holiday in the Sultanate of Oman and the main one in the country. The holiday currently celebrates the birthday of Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said,who reigned from 1970 to 2020.
Air Marshal Sir Erik Peter Bennett KBE,CB,CVO was a Royal Air Force officer who subsequently became Commander of the Sultan of Oman's Air Force and an adviser to Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said.
Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said is the Crown Prince of Oman and the Minister of Culture,Sports,&Youth.
