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GEOGRAPHY
The Sultanate of Oman’s geographical location has through the millennia had a
major influence on its politics, strategic options and development. The country lies
at the crossroads of three continents and four seas, in the extreme south-eastern
corner of the Arabian Peninsula, extending from latitude 16.40 to 26.20 degrees
north and from longitude 51.50 to 59.40 degrees east. Its spectacular approx. 3,165
kms coastline extends from the south-eastern extremity on the Arabian Sea and the
entrance to the Indian Ocean, up to Musandam in the north, where it overlooks the
strategic Strait of Hormuz and the entrance to the Gulf.
Oman shares borders with the Republic of Yemen to the south-west, the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the west and the United Arab Emirates to the north. It
has sovereignty over a number of small islands in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait
of Hormuz, including Salamah and Her Daughters, as well as Masirah and the
Hallaniyat Islands in the Arabian Sea.
The Sultanate lies on the Tropic of Cancer and is generally one of the world’s
hot and arid regions. However, the extreme south of the country has a tropical
climate, making it a popular holiday destination for visitors from around the region
in the parched summer months.
As well as dominating the oldest and most important sea trade route in the
world between the Gulf and the Indian Ocean, Oman, with an area of 309,500sq.
km, is straddled by the Arabian Peninsula’s ancient, historic caravan routes,
through which trade once flourished. Today, centuries later, although the caravans
bearing their loads of silks, perfumes, textiles and frankincense, have long gone,
Oman continues to dominate one of the oldest and most important sea trade routes
between the Gulf and the Indian Ocean.
In a country of considerable geographical diversity, Oman’s outstanding feature
is the Hajar mountain range, which runs from Ru’us al Jibal at Ras Musandam to
the Arabian Peninsula’s south-eastern extremity on the Arabian Sea. The Hajar
range, a huge arc running from the north-west of the country to the south-east
reaches 3,000 metres at its highest point in the Jabal al Akhdhar, and flanked by
this all important sea trade route, the Strait of Hormuz.
In the Governorate of Musandam the mountains soar to a height of 1,800
metres above sea level before falling dizzily and dramatically into the blue waters
of the Strait of Hormuz, which cuts a deep channel waterway between the coasts
of Oman and Iran. It is on the Omani side that the Strait’s navigable shipping
lanes lie.

Geology
In a region where first time visitors might expect predominantly arid desert Wadi Darbat and its
landscapes, Oman has much to offer in the way of geo-physical diversity. The lush vegetation after
Sultanate’s strikingly varied and spectacular landscapes are a blend of its geological the monsoon in Dhofar
history and climate over the past few million years.
Superb rock outcrops in the Hajar mountains, the Huqf and Dhofar are a Overleaf :
paradise for geologists from around the world. The country’s rock record spans Natural arch in 60
around 825 million years and includes at least three periods when the country was million year old
Tertiary limestones.
covered by ice; somewhat surprising given its present latitude and climate.
Such features form by
Located at the southeast corner of the Arabian plate, Oman is being pushed the sea eroding slightly
slowly northward, as the Red Sea grows wider. The lofty Hajar mountains and softer areas faster than
the now drowned valleys of the Musandam region are dramatic reminders of this. the harder surrounding
Even to a lay person the sight of fossils of starfish and other sea creatures deeply rocks

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