VERY INTERESTING: OMAN

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Things You May Not Know about Oman

Oman, the small country located in the far southeastern part of the Arab Peninsula, is full of marvellous natural wonders and architectural beauty. Although that is true, there are lots of things about Oman that are not well known. Here we have gathered the top things most people don’t know about Oman.

Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab world

Oman has been ruled by the Omani Al Said Family since 1744. It was one of the most isolated and traditional countries in the Arab World, until the 1970s when Sultan Qaboos became the ruler. It is also estimated that humans have been living in Oman for at least 106,000 years, making it one of the oldest human-inhabited countries on Earth.

Oman has the longest serving ruler in the Middle East

Sultan Qaboos Bin Said took office as the official ruler of Oman on the 23rd of July in 1970. Since then, the country has witnessed dramatic improvements in educational, economic, financial and political standards. The country is developing rapidly and people are becoming happier. As Oman is a Sultanate, Sultan Qaboos is to name his successor whom will take control after his death.

Oman is a terrorism free country

According to the Global Terrorism Index, Oman is one of the safest and most secure countries in the Arab World. In the latest report of 2016- 2017, Oman came near last on the list, with a score of 0, which means it is one of the countries with the least terrorism in the world.

The Arabian Oryx is the national animal of Oman

The endangerd Arabian Oryx is a white antelope with a unique shoulder bump, long straight horns and a tufted tail. They live in the deserts of the Arab Peninsula, most famously in Oman. The Arabian Oryx or the White Oryx, is referred to and called the Maha in Oman. They are the national animal of the country and famous Omani gas stations are named after them.

The Sultan Qaboos University was the first university in Oman

The Sultan Qaboos University was the first university in the country and was established in 1986. It is a prestigious university and getting into one of its faculties requires high scores in high school. It is located in Al Khoud in the Capital Governorate of Muscat. The university is a whole town in itself as it provides accommodation, stores, a library and is open for all Omanis.

Omanis are the greatest ship builders in the world

When looking at the map of Oman, it looks like a small peninsula in the sense that it is surrounded by water from three different directions; north, east and south. Giving its long coastline, and its closeness to two important gulfs; the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and its closeness to the Oman Sea and to the Indian Ocean, Omanis turned to shipbuilding as one of their main jobs and source of income. 

Omanis didn’t only practice the industry of shipbuilding, but they perfected it. Their ships would sail around the world, and some Omani coastal cities like Sur, were globally known as centers of ships and ship repairs. Today Omanis are regarded some of the best ship builders on Earth.

And as always have a chilled day from the Viking