Oman Geography

Oman, a captivating country located in the Middle East, boasts a diverse and enchanting geography. Covering an area of 309,500 square kilometers, Oman is defined by its sprawling central desert expanse, which is surrounded by rugged mountain ranges in both the northern and southern regions. The country's unique location along the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf, positions it strategically between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates. Oman's climate is predominantly arid, with coastal areas experiencing hot and humid weather, while the interior is marked by intense heat and dryness. A notable climatic feature is the strong southwest summer monsoon that influences the southernmost regions from May to September. Oman is also home to significant natural resources, including petroleum, copper, and natural gas, which play a crucial role in its economy. With its intriguing blend of desert landscapes, mountainous terrain, and rich natural resources, Oman offers a fascinating study in geographical diversity.

Area

land

309,500 sq km

water

0 sq km

total

309,500 sq km

Climate

arid desert conditions prevail; coastal areas experience hot and humid weather; the interior is characterized by heat and dryness; a strong southwest summer monsoon occurs from May to September in the southernmost regions

Terrain

a central desert expanse flanked by rugged mountain ranges in both the northern and southern regions

Land use

other

95.2% (2023 est.)

forest

0% (2023 est.)

agricultural land

4.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 0.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 4.4% (2023 est.)

Location

situated in the Middle East, it borders the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, positioned between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates

Coastline

2,092 km

Elevation

lowest point

Arabian Sea 0 m

highest point

Jabal Shams 3,004 m

mean elevation

310 m

Irrigated land

1,162 sq km (2022)

Major aquifers

Arabian Aquifer System

Map references

Middle East

Land boundaries

total

1,561 km

border countries

Saudi Arabia 658 km; UAE 609 km; Yemen 294 km

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

Natural hazards

the summer winds frequently trigger significant sandstorms and dust storms in the interior; there are also episodes of drought

Geography - note

comprises Oman proper along with two northern exclaves, Musandam and Al Madhah; Musandam is a peninsula that holds a strategically important position near the Strait of Hormuz

Natural resources

resources include petroleum, copper, asbestos, some varieties of marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, and natural gas

Area - comparative

it is twice the area of the state of Georgia

Geographic coordinates

21 00 N, 57 00 E

Population distribution

the predominant portion of the population resides in the vicinity of the Al Hagar Mountains in the north; a smaller population cluster exists around the city of Salalah in the extreme south; the majority of the country remains lightly populated

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