In 2002, Oman was a country with a rich and vibrant culture. The population of the country was predominantly Arab, with some South Asian and African influence. The official language was Arabic, though English was widely spoken in business and tourism. The capital city of Muscat was home to many government buildings, and the bustling souks of Muttrah were a popular place for visitors to shop for souvenirs. The Sultanate of Oman had been ruled by the Al Said dynasty since 1744, and in 2002 Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said held power over the country.

According to computerannals, the economy of Oman was largely based on petroleum exports, which accounted for around 60% of total exports in 2002. Agriculture also played an important role in the economy, with dates being one of the main crops grown in the country. Tourism had begun to develop as well; visitors were drawn to Oman’s beautiful beaches, stunning desert landscapes and ancient sites such as Nizwa Fort and Bahla Fort. The government had invested heavily in infrastructure and health care over recent years; by 2002 there were more than 200 primary health care facilities throughout the country providing free medical services to all citizens.

Yearbook 2002

Oman. According to Countryaah website, national day of Oman is every November 18. The country’s leader, Sultan Qabus ibn Said, announced on November 26 that all citizens of the country who are 21 years of age would have the right to vote. The reform concerned the right to appoint the 83 members of an advisory assembly, the Shura, which acts as a kind of parliament. Elections are held in 2003. The Council was formed as late as 1990. Its main task is to advise the Government on economic matters, but it has no influence on defense and foreign policy.

Previously, only clan leaders, academics and leading businessmen were allowed to vote, which meant that only a quarter of the country’s 1.8 million residents had the right to vote. Women’s organizations welcomed the message because they could expect more places. Women hold two seats in the current council.

Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia – forming the Gulf Cooperation Council, the GCC – held new talks in October on a single currency in the region as well as a monetary union. The GCC has turned to the European Central Bank, the ECB, for advice. A customs union enters into force between the six countries in 2003. A single currency is planned for 2010, five years after the monetary union.

Oman and the United Arab Emirates signed June 22 under a border agreement.

At least 46 construction workers were killed in April when a bus drove down a cliff in southern Oman. Police suspect the driver was driving too fast.

Oman Country Overview

Visas An
Omani visa can be obtained upon arrival in the country. The visa costs about 50 eur / person and is paid by credit card. Visa fees and policies are subject to change without notice depending on local authorities.

• According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG, OMN stands for Oman.

NOTE. The passport must be valid for 6 months from arrival in the country.

Insurance
Every person participating in the trip must have a valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the event of illness or other similar need. Please check the validity of your own insurance and the terms and conditions of the insurance cancellation cover.

Please pay attention to the special nature of your trip and check the coverage of the insurance in that respect as well. In many locations, the insurance must also be valid when moving at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, in which case it also covers mountain sickness.

Many hiking or diving trips require more extensive insurance, which covers, for example, diving or moving on a glacier. Please check the contents of your insurance with your insurance company.

Vaccinations
Check the vaccination requirements at your health center or the tourist clinic’s vaccination advice

Currency: Omani Rial (OMR), divided into 1000 baisa.
The local price level is clearly cheaper than in Finland. Visa and MasteCards work well, but you may have difficulty using American Express.

Tips A
tip is given for good service. Waiters and restaurant staff can leave 5-10% tips on the final invoice, unless a service charge is included in the invoice price. For bag carriers in hotels, it is recommended to give about 1 USD / bag. It is also polite to give tips to guides, for example 5 – 10 USD / day.

Time difference
The time difference between Oman and Finland is +2 hours in winter and +1 hour in summer.

Electric
current Electric current: 240 V, 50 Hz. A British adapter is required for Finnish devices.

Mobile phones
Check the coverage of your phone with your carrier. Oman’s area code is +968.

Climate
Summers near the coast are generally hot and humid. In winter, the weather is usually mild. The desert is hot and dry in summer and cool in winter. The temperature of Muscat is at its hottest in July at about 30–40 degrees, during January the temperature drops to about 20–25 degrees.