GEOGRAPHY
With an area of 309,500 sq. kms, Sultanate of Oman is the second largest country in the Arabian Peninsula. The Sultanate is bordered by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on the west; the Republic of Yemen on the south; the Strait of Hormuz on the north and the Arabian Sea on the east.

POPULATION
The population of Oman is currently estimated to be 2.3 million with 1.7 million of Omani origin and the rest being expatriates. Muscat itself has a population of 400,000.

ECONOMY
Despite the significant progress in the diversification of the Sultanate's economy, it is still oil-based and will continue to be so in the foreseeable future. The Sultanate has a reputation for running a prudent economy. However, being oil-based, it is subject to the fluctuations of the world's oil market.

CURRENCY
The Omani Rial is divided into 1,000 Baizas. RO 1/- = US$ 2.58. Currency notes are available in denominations of RO 50, 20, 10, 5, 1. Currency notes are also available in 100 baizas, 200 baizas, quarter and half Rial denominations.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
The official language of the country is Arabic. English is also widely spoken and understood by the business community.

RELIGION
The Sultanate of Oman is an Islamic country.

TIME
GMT + 4 Hours

OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS

OFFICE HOURS
Ministries and Government Establishments
7.30 am to 2.30 pm Saturday to Wednesday
Thursday & Friday - Official Holidays

Private Sector Companies
8.00 am to 1.00 pm
4.00 pm to 7.00 pm
Many private sector companies work non-break shift schedules

Markets
8.00 am to 1.00 pm
4.00 pm to 9.00 pm
except Muttrah Market which closes at 7.30 pm

Banks
8.00 am to 12.30 pm

Museums
8.00 am to 1.00 pm, except Fridays and Official Holidays

DRESS
Like all the Arab countries, Arab Islamic culture dominates the style of life in the Sultanate. However, being an international market, other cultures of various countries are widely visible. Both men and women are expected to dress conservatively in public places.

RAMADAN
It is a fasting month of Muslims and starts 10 days earlier each year according to the Gregorion calendar. During the day time Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and smoking. Therefore, eating, drinking and smoking in public is prohibited for all during Ramadan. Office timings are slightly changed to shorter working hours and business meetings are sometimes difficult to arrange.

LOCAL TRANSPORT
The State-owned bus company, ONTC, has the franchise to operate public services throughout the Sultanate. It also contracts out some of its fleet for short-term charters and tourism. It currently operates on some 28 routes, covering over 20 million km per year and has an annual replacement programme for its fleet with the most modern vehicles available.

Taxi services, run by the private sector, are also well developed and there is an excellent network of minibuses operating as 'service' taxis linking up the major centres of population.