Oman Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Oman?

Overview

Oman occupies the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. Oman has three distinct topographical regions. The first consists of two flat, relatively fertile coastal strips up to 20 miles wide: one in the north stretching from the Muscat capital area to the border with the U.A.E., and one surrounding the southern city of Salalah. The second feature includes two mountainous regions: one in the north with elevations ranging from several hundred feet to the craggy peaks of Jebel Akhdar at 10,000 feet, and the other bordering the Salalah Plain in the south. Both are deeply scarred throughout by dry streambeds called "wadis." The third feature is sandy wasteland, mainly in the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) along the border with Saudi Arabia.

Geography - note

strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

Climate

Oman’s climate is one of the hottest in the world. Temperatures reach 130°F in the summer from April to October and rarely drop below 65°F in the cooler season from November to March. Average annual rainfall measures only 4 or 5 inches and occurs during December into April. Despite limited rainfall, however, humidity averages 65% to 80%. Summer monsoons create a tropical climate in the south.

Oman Use of Natural Resources

Oman Environment

Climate:

Terrain:

central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south

Natural Resources:

petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas

Natural Hazards:

summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts

Irrigated Land:

227 Square Miles
589 Square Kilometers

Environmental Issues:

rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resources

Environment - International Agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Oman Geography

Geographic Location	Middle East
Total Area	119,498 Square Miles 309,500 Square Kilometers
Land Area	119,498 Square Miles 309,500 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries	854 Miles 1,374 Kilometers
Irrigated Land	227 Square Miles 589 Square Kilometers
Border Countries	Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Coastline	1,300 Miles 2,092 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates	21 00 N, 57 00 E
Terrain	central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Highest Point	2,980 Meters
Highest Point Location	Jabal Shams 2,980 m
Lowest Point Location	Arabian Sea 0 m
Natural Resources	petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Time Zone	UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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