A minaret with a dome in a city surrounded by mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Modern Times

Modern Times

Written by: Luca Krohn Last updated at: May 21, 2025

In 1970, Sultan Qaboos ibn Said deposed his father and became the new ruler of the Sultanate of Oman. After his death in January 2020, his cousin Haitham ibn Tariq succeeded him. With oil revenues as the basis, the Sultan managed to nearly revolutionize the country in just a few decades through infrastructure, education and health. To this day, citizens honor their head of state for his remarkable efforts.

Discover Oman with experts who have called it their home

Your dream holiday, tailor-made by experts.

We don't just know Oman from books, we visit the country several times a year to experience the culture, landscape and people first-hand.

From your first enquiry to your return home, we are there for you personally - by phone, email or WhatsApp, whenever you need us. Our trips are as unique as you are: individually planned and provided with exclusive privileges and high-quality arrangements that will make your trip unforgettable.

You might also like this

A grand political palace with a large open courtyard in front, featuring a modern architectural style and surrounded by trees and fencing.

Politics in Oman

2 min read

Oman is an Arab and Islamically shaped state. Thus, many views and ways of life refer to the Quran, the holy scripture of Muslims, and Sharia is used as a legal basis. The head of state of Oman is Sultan Haitham ibn Tariq. The Sultan unites both the executive and the judiciary and legislature within himself and therefore possesses all the power. However, the Omanis do not see the Sultan as an absolutist ruler, but much more as a father who has shown them the way into a new era, towards freedom and into the modern age. There are no parties and a parliament in the Omani government. Sultan Haith...

A chef in a kitchen arranging food ingredients with fresh vegetables and potatoes in the foreground.

Economy in Oman

4 min read

Ende der 1960er-Jahre begann die  Erdölförderung im Sultanat Oman. Das Erdöl bildete schnell die Haupteinnahmequelle des Landes und der bis dahin größte Wirtschaftszweig, die Landwirtschaft, schrumpfte allmählich. Durch den Wirtschaftsboom, der durch die Erdölförderung ausgelöst wurde, konnte die infrastruktur ausgebaut werden. Es entstanden Straßen, Schulen, Krankenhäuser und Stromleitungen. Dem Erdöl hat die Bevölkerung auch einen allgemeinen Anstieg des Einkommens zu verdanken. Mit dem Konzept der Privatisierung und Diversifizierung soll finanzielle und wirtschaftliche Stabilität erreicht w...

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Oman with lush gardens in the foreground and mountains in the background during sunset.

Sultan Qaboos

2 min read

Sultan Qaboos ibn Said al Said ruled from July 23, 1970, until his death on January 10, 2020, in Oman. His successor is his cousin Haitham ibn Tariq. As an absolute ruler, the Sultan is the chairman of a cabinet, holding the most important positions himself in this cabinet and appointing other ministers according to his will. There are no free elections for the people, no parliament with political or personnel powers, or other democratic institutions in Oman. The Sultan unites the executive, judicial, and legislative branches in himself. Qaboos held absolute power in his sultanate, which is co...