Oman, officially the Sultanate of Oman, is located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia and the Middle East. It shares borders with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Its capital and largest city is Muscat. As of 2024, Oman has a population of approximately 5.28 million, a 4.60% increase from 2023. The country's coast borders the Arabian Sea to the southeast and the Gulf of Oman to the northeast. Oman includes the exclaves of Madha and Musandam, which are surrounded by the United Arab Emirates. Musandam's coastlines are defined by the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.
In 1913, Imam Salim Alkharusi instigated an anti-Muscat rebellion.
In 1920, the Sultanate established peace with the Imamate by signing the Treaty of Seeb, brokered by Britain, granting autonomous rule to the Imamate in the interior of Oman.
On January 10, 1923, an agreement was signed between the Sultanate and the British government, requiring the Sultanate to consult with the British political agent and obtain approval from the High Government of India for oil extraction.
On July 31, 1928, the Red Line Agreement was signed between major oil companies to collectively produce oil in the post-Ottoman Empire region, including the Arabian Peninsula.
In 1929, the members of the Red Line Agreement established Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC).
On November 13, 1931, Sultan Taimur bin Faisal abdicated.
On February 10, 1932, Said bin Taimur officially became the Sultan of Muscat, backed by the British government.
In 1937, an agreement between the sultan and Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC) was signed to grant oil concessions to IPC, leading to IPC's interest in the Fahud area and support for the sultan's armed force against potential resistance.
On September 10, 1939, upon the outbreak of World War II, the sultan of Oman declared war on Germany.
On October 16, 1943, the German U-Boat U-533 was sunk in the Gulf of Oman by a Bristol Blenheim from No. 244 Squadron RAF.
In 1946, the British government offered arms, ammunition, supplies, and officers to prepare the sultan to attack the interior of Oman.
In December 1951, the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between Oman and the United Kingdom recognized the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman as a fully independent state.
In May 1954, Imam Alkhalili died, and Ghalib Alhinai was elected Imam, leading to strained relations with Sultan Said bin Taimur over oil concessions.
In December 1955, Sultan Said bin Taimur sent troops to occupy the main centers in Oman, including Nizwa, the capital of the Imamate, initiating conflict with the Imamate forces.
In 1955, the exclave coastal Makran strip acceded to Pakistan and was made a district of its Balochistan province, while Gwadar remained in Oman.
In July 1957, the Sultan's forces were withdrawing, but they were repeatedly ambushed, sustaining heavy casualties. Sultan Said, however, with the intervention of British infantry (two companies of the Cameronians), armoured car detachments from the British Army and RAF aircraft, was able to suppress the rebellion.
On 4 August 1957, the British Foreign Secretary gave the approval to carry out air strikes without prior warning to the locals residing in the interior of Oman.
On 8 September 1958, Pakistan purchased the Gwadar enclave from Oman for US$3 million.
Between July and December 1958, the British RAF made 1,635 raids on the interior of Oman, targeting insurgents, villages, water channels, and crops.
On 27 January 1959, the Sultanate's forces occupied the mountain in a surprise operation, leading to the escape of Imam Ghalib and others to Saudi Arabia.
On 11 December 1963, the UN General Assembly decided to establish an Ad-Hoc Committee on Oman to study the 'Question of Oman'.
In 1963, the Dhofar War began, pitting pro-Soviet forces against government troops in Oman.
In 1965, the UN General Assembly adopted the 'Question of Oman' resolution, calling for an end to repressive actions and British control, and reaffirming the right to self-determination.
In 1966, the UN General Assembly adopted the 'Question of Oman' resolution, calling for an end to repressive actions and British control, and reaffirming the right to self-determination.
In 1967, the UN General Assembly adopted the 'Question of Oman' resolution, calling for an end to repressive actions and British control, and reaffirming the right to self-determination.
In 1969, the boundary of Madha, an Omani exclave, was settled.
On July 1970, Oman Radio, the first and only state-owned radio channel, began broadcasting.
In 1970, Qaboos bin Said became the Sultan of Oman.
In 1970, Sultan Said bin Taimur was deposed in a bloodless coup by his son Qaboos bin Said, who then expanded the armed forces and introduced reforms.
Since 1970 all legislation in Oman has been promulgated through royal decrees.
Since 1970, Oman has pursued a moderate foreign policy and expanded its diplomatic relations.
In 1971, Oman joined the United Nations.
In 1976, the Dhofar War ended with the help of forces from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, and Britain.
Following the 1970s energy crisis, Oman doubled their oil output between 1979 and 1985.
In 1981, Oman became a founding member of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council.
In 1984, the Oman Centre for Traditional Music was established to preserve traditional Omani songs and dances.
Following the 1970s energy crisis, Oman doubled their oil output between 1979 and 1985.
In 1985, Sultan Qaboos founded the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra.
On July 1, 1987, the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra gave its inaugural concert at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel's Oman Auditorium.
Since 1990, Oman's road incident death rates has been decreasing, from 98.9 per 100,000 individuals to 47.1 per 100,000 in 2017.
In 1993, 89 percent of the population of Oman had access to health care services.
In 1993, the Omani Society for Fine Arts was established, offering educational programmes, workshops, and artist grants.
In 1995, Oman adopted its present national flag, resembling the previous flag but with a thicker stripe.
Oman had a 2020 Vision to diversify the economy established in 1995, which targeted a decrease in oil's share to less than 10 percent of GDP by 2020, but it was rendered obsolete in 2011.
Since 1995, the percentage of Omani children who receive key vaccines has consistently been very high (above 99 percent).
In 1996, Oman's Basic Law was promulgated through royal decrees.
In 1996, Oman's Basic Statute of the State was issued, operating as a constitution for the country.
In 1997, a royal decree was issued granting women the right to vote and stand for election to the Majlis al-Shura.
In 1998, Bait Al Zubair Museum, a private, family-funded museum, opened to the public.
Since a slump in oil prices in 1998, Oman has made active plans to diversify its economy.
In 1999, Bait Al Zubair Museum received Sultan Qaboos' Award for Architectural Excellence.
Between 2000 and 2016, Omani fish exports grew from US$144 million to US$172 million.
In 2000, 99 percent of the population of Oman had access to health care services, and Oman's health system was ranked number 8 by the WHO.
In 2000, Bait Muzna Gallery was established by Sayyida Susan Al Said as the first art gallery in Oman.
In 2000, Oman's oil production was at 972,000 barrels per day.
In 2000, The Royal Navy of Oman had 4,200 men.
In 2001, Oman had nine endangered species of mammals, five endangered types of birds, and nineteen threatened plant species.
In 2002, voting rights were extended to all citizens over the age of 21.
In 2003, the Oman Olympic Committee played a major part in organising the highly successful Olympic Days.
In 2003, the first elections to the Consultative Assembly under the new rules were held.
Since 2003, Oman's undernourished share of the population has dropped from 11.7 percent to 5.4 percent in 2016.
In October 2004, the Omani government set up a Ministry of Sports Affairs to replace the General Organisation for Youth, Sports and Cultural Affairs.
In 2004, the Sultan appointed Oman's first female minister with portfolio, Sheikha Aisha bint Khalfan bin Jameel al-Sayabiyah.
In 2005, nearly 100 suspected Islamists were arrested, and 31 people were convicted of trying to overthrow the government, but they were ultimately pardoned in June of the same year.
Between 2006 and 2016, the ratio of exported fish to total fish captured in tons fluctuated between 49 and 61 percent.
In 2006, Oman had ten surface combat vessels.
In 2006, Oman's military manpower totalled 44,100, including army, navy, and air force personnel, plus Royal Household Guards and a paramilitary force.
In 2006, The Royal Army of Oman had 25,000 active personnel in 2006, plus a small contingent of Royal Household troops.
In 2006, one Omani film, Al-Boom, was released.
Oman's date exports remained steady between 2006 and 2016.
As of 2007, the cinema of Oman was very small, with only one Omani film, Al-Boom (2006).
In 2007, Oman ordered three Khareef class corvettes from the VT Group for £400 million.
In 2007, oil production in Oman fell to 714,800 barrels per day.
In 2007, the Omani government decided to reduce the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary's area by 90% to clear the way for oil prospectors.
On 14 April 2008, before the Beijing Olympics, Oman became the stop of the Middle East's torch relay, covering 20 kilometres.
In 2008, Oman's natural gas production was approximately 24 billion cubic metres per year.
From 4 to 17 January 2009, the 19th Arabian Gulf Cup took place in Muscat, and was won by the Omani national football team.
Majan TV, the first private TV channel in Oman, began broadcasting in January 2009.
On January 1, 2009, a free-trade agreement with the United States took effect, eliminating tariff barriers and protecting foreign businesses in Oman.
In 2009, Oman's oil production recovered to 816,000 barrels per day.
In 2009, tourism revenue was RO 505 million (US$1.3 billion).
In 2010 Oman spent US$4.074 billion on military expenditures, 8.5% of the gross domestic product.
In 2010, Muscat hosted the 2010 Asian Beach Games.
In 2010, life expectancy at birth in Oman was estimated to be 76.1 years, and there were an estimated 2.1 physicians and 2.1 hospital beds per 1,000 people.
In 2010, the United Nations Development Programme ranked Oman as the most-improved country in the world in terms of development during the preceding 40 years.
In 2010, the adult literacy rate in Oman was 86.9 percent.
The official channel website of Majan TV was last updated in early 2010.
In February 2011, protests inspired by the Arab Spring, demanding political reforms and improved conditions, were dispersed by riot police in Oman.
In October 2011, elections were held to the Consultative Assembly in Oman, after Sultan Qaboos promised greater powers to the assembly.
As of the 2011 statistics, the percentage of Omanis employed in the construction and manufacturing sectors was low.
Between 2011 and 2015, Oman's share of research & development expenditures to GDP averaged 0.20 percent.
In 2011, Oman hosted the Asian FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers.
In 2011, at Aybut Al Auwal in Oman, a site was discovered containing stone tools belonging to the late Nubian Complex, dating back 106,000 years, suggesting early human migration from Africa to Arabia during the Late Pleistocene.
In 2011, the Basic Statute of the State in Oman was amended in response to protests.
In 2011, the Philippines government determined that only Oman and Israel qualify as safe for Filipino migrants, out of all the countries in the Middle East.
Oman's 2020 Vision to diversify the economy established in 1995, which targeted a decrease in oil's share to less than 10 percent of GDP by 2020, was rendered obsolete in 2011.
In September 2012, trials began for activists in Oman, accused of online criticism of the government; six were jailed.
According to SIPRI, Oman was the 23rd largest arms importer from 2012 to 2016.
In 2012, Muscat, the capital of Oman, was named the second best city to visit in the world by Lonely Planet, and chosen as the Capital of Arab Tourism of 2012.
In 2012, Oman hosted the Men's and Women's Beach Handball World Championships at the Millennium Resort in Mussanah, from 8 to 13 July.
In 2012, oil production in Oman increased to 930,000 barrels per day.
In 2012, several prisoners detained in Oman complained of sleep deprivation, extreme temperatures and solitary confinement.
In 2013, Oman achieved its status as having eliminated malaria diagnoses, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
On 14 March 2014, the first "El Clasico" to be played outside of Spain, was played at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 2014 report, accreditation standards and mechanisms with a quality control that focuses on input assessments, rather than output, are areas of improvement in Oman.
As of 2014 in Oman women reserve wearing their traditional dress for special occasions, and instead wear a loose black cloak called an abaya over their personal choice of clothing.
In November 2015, a seven-minute music video about Oman went viral, achieving 500,000 views on YouTube within 10 days of being released.
Between 2011 and 2015, Oman's share of research & development expenditures to GDP averaged 0.20 percent.
In 2015, Oman's coverage of essential health services was 77 percent.
Oman's health spending to GDP between 2015 and 2016 averaged 4.3 percent, while the world's average during the same period was 10 percent.
On 30 July 2016, the National Museum of Oman opened with 14 permanent galleries.
According to SIPRI, Oman was the 23rd largest arms importer from 2012 to 2016.
As of 2016, Oman's mortality rate due to air pollution (household and ambient air pollution) was 53.9 per 100,000 population.
Between 2016 and 2018, Oman's military spending as a percentage of GDP averaged around 10 percent.
In 2016, Bait Muzna opened a second space in Salalah to branch out and support art film and the digital art scene.
In 2016, Human Rights Watch reported that an Omani court sentenced three journalists to prison and ordered the permanent closure of their newspaper, over an article that alleged corruption in the judiciary.
In 2016, Oman qualified for the ICC World Twenty20.
In 2016, Oman's estimated production of dates was 350,000 tons and Oman's total export of dates was US$12.6 million.
In 2016, Oman's fishing industry contributed 0.78 percent to the GDP and fish exports were US$172 million. In 2016, the main importer of Omani fish was Vietnam, with almost US$80 million (46.5 percent) in value.
In 2016, Oman's manufacturing value added to GDP rate was 8.4 percent, lower than the average in the Arab world and the world average.
In 2016, Oman's ratio of patent applications per million people was 0.35.
In 2016, oil and gas share of the government's revenue represented 72 percent.
In 2016, the Omani government drew international criticism for suspending the newspaper Azamn and arresting three journalists after a report on corruption.
In 2016, tourism contributed 2.8 percent to the Omani GDP.
Oman's health spending to GDP between 2015 and 2016 averaged 4.3 percent.
Since 2003, Oman's undernourished share of the population has dropped from 11.7 percent to 5.4 percent in 2016.
From 22 December 2017, the 23rd Arabian Gulf Cup took place in Kuwait.
In 2017, Azamn was not allowed to reopen, despite an appeal court ruling in late 2016 that the paper could resume operating.
In 2017, Oil and gas sector represented 30.1 percent of the nominal GDP.
In 2017, total foreign direct investments (FDI) in Oman exceeded US$24 billion, with the oil and gas sector receiving the highest share.
In 2017, tourism revenue grew to RO 719 million (US$1.8 billion).
Oman's research and development spending between 2016 and 2017 averaged 0.24 percent, which is significantly lower than the world's average (2.2 percent) during the same period.
Since 1990, Oman's road incident death rates has been decreasing, from 98.9 per 100,000 individuals to 47.1 per 100,000 in 2017.
In January 2018, Oman won their second title at the 23rd Arabian Gulf Cup, defeating the United Arab Emirates in the final.
In June 2018, the city of Qurayyat in Oman set the record for highest minimum temperature in a 24-hour period, at 42.6 °C (108.7 °F).
Between 2016 and 2018, Oman's military spending as a percentage of GDP averaged around 10 percent.
In 2018, Oman featured a men's national team in beach volleyball that competed at the 2018–2020 AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup.
In 2018, Oman had a budget deficit of 32 percent of total revenue and a government debt-to-GDP ratio of 47.5 percent.
In 2018, Reporters Without Borders ranked Oman 127th out of 180 countries on its World Press Freedom Index.
In 2018, mineral fuels accounted for 82.2 percent of total product exports.
In 2018, oil and gas represented 71 percent of the government's revenues.
In early 2018, Muscat Media Group (MMG) launched a new private radio station.
The Transformation Index BTI 2018 report on Oman recommends that the education curriculum should focus more on the "promotion of personal initiative and critical perspective".
In September 2019, it was confirmed that Oman would be the first Middle Eastern country to host the International Gas Union Research Conference (IGRC 2020).
In November 2019, Oman introduced the concept of e-visa for tourists from all nationalities, making visa on arrival an exception.
According to the Global Innovation Index (2019) report, Oman scores "below expectations" in innovation relative to countries classified under high income and was ranked 80 out of 129 countries in innovation index in 2019.
According to the United Nations Sustainable Development 2019 index, major challenges remain to be solved in terms of climate action in Oman.
As of 2019 Oman scored high on the percentage of students who complete lower secondary school and on the literacy rate between the age of 15 and 24 and Oman's net primary school enrollment rate in 2019, which is 94.1 percent, is rated as "challenges remain" by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) standard.
As of 2019, Oman still faced "significant challenges" in industry, innovation and infrastructure, according to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals index.
In 2019, the WHO ranked Oman as the least polluted country in the Arab world, with a score of 37.7 in the pollution index.
In January 2020, Qaboos, the Arab world's longest-serving ruler at the time, died and was succeeded by his first cousin Haitham bin Tariq.
On January 10, 2020, Sultan Qaboos bin Said died childless and was succeeded by his cousin, Haitham bin Tariq.
In February 2020, the 16th International Gas Union Research Conference (IGRC 2020) was scheduled to be held in collaboration with Oman LNG.
By 2020, Oman's population exceeded 4.5 million, and the total fertility rate in 2020 was estimated to be 2.8 children born per woman.
In 2020, SIPRI estimated Oman's military and security expenditure to be 11 percent of GDP, making it the world's highest rate in that year.
Oman featured a men's national team in beach volleyball that competed at the 2018–2020 AVC Beach Volleyball Continental Cup.
Oman had a 2020 Vision to diversify the economy, but it was rendered obsolete in 2011.
Oman was ranked 84th in the Global Innovation Index in 2020, down from 80th in 2019.
In January 2021, Haitham bin Tariq named his eldest son, Theyazin bin Haitham, as Oman's first crown prince and heir to the throne.
On 25 June 2021, it was confirmed that Oman will co-host the 2021 edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup alongside the United Arab Emirates.
By 2021, a refinery and petrochemical plant in Duqm with a 230,000 barrels per day capacity was projected for completion.
In 2021, the Basic Statute of the State in Oman was amended to create the position of Crown Prince.
In April 2023, a law was changed by royal decree, allowing Omani citizens to marry foreigners without government permission.
The last elections for the Consultative Assembly in Oman were held on October 29, 2023.
From 2023 to 2024, Oman experienced a 4.60% population increase.
As of 2024, Oman ranks as the 37th most peaceful country in the world according to the Global Peace Index.
In 2024, Oman had a population of about 5.28 million, making it the 123rd most-populous country.
In 2024, Oman participated in the Touch Rugby World Cup in Nottingham, which was its first participation in an international rugby tournament.
The next elections for the Consultative Assembly in Oman are due in October 2027.
The UNSDG targets zero hunger by 2030.
Oman established a 2040 Vision in 2011.