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.

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Travel Weather Oman Mountains

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The climate in the Omani Hadjar Mountains differs significantly from the rest of the country. It is much cooler overall, which is mainly due to the high altitude of the region. On average, the tourist destinations of this mountain region are located at an altitude of almost 2,000 meters. In the peak season between October and April, it can be very cold. During the day, temperatures rarely reach more than 20°C, and at night, the thermometer sometimes shows less than 10°C. An unexpected sight for a desert region are the snow-capped peaks of Hadjar, something which is not uncommon. Geographicall...

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Military in Oman

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The Commander-in-Chief of the Oman Armed Forces isHaitham ibn Tariq. The size of these armed forces is quite manageable. About 43,000 soldiers are active in the country, ensuring secure borders and – especially in recent years – due to the unrest in theneighboring countries of Oman, also ensuring that this unrest from Yemen and Saudi Arabia does not cross the border into Oman. Additionally, the military supports the police in maintaining order in the country. The army consists of four branches: - Land Forces - Artillery - Navy - Air Force There is no conscription in Oman; the army is a pu...

A small green rectangular playing field situated on a dusty, dry hillside with rocky terrain and mountainous backdrop.

Population

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Oman had around 4.52 million inhabitants in 2021. It is likely that the number has again increased, as it has generally been on the rise in recent decades. The birth rate of almost three children per woman not only reflects the Arabian love for large families, rather, it is an expression of the deep satisfaction that persists in the country and of the fact that people have experienced a transformation in the last few decades that is second to none. Due to this fact, more than half of Omanis are under 18 years old and more than 30 % are under 15. The people of Oman today have a much longer life...