adjective: Omani

Ethnic divisions: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri
Lankan, Bangladeshi)

Religions: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu

Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects

Literacy: NA%

Labor force: 430,000 (est.)
by occupation: agriculture 40% (est.)

@Oman:Government

Names:
conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form: Oman
local long form: Saltanat Uman
local short form: Uman

Digraph: MU

Type: monarchy

Capital: Muscat

Administrative divisions: 6 regions (mintaqah, singular - mintaqat)
and 2 governorates* (muhafazah, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah,
Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*,
Zufar*

Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

National holiday: National Day, 18 November (1940)

Constitution: none

Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate
appeal to the sultan; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: none

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister
QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970)
cabinet: Cabinet

Legislative branch: unicameral Consultative Council

Judicial branch: none; traditional Islamic judges and a nascent civil
court system

Political parties and leaders: none

Other political or pressure groups: NA

Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,
ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WFTU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Abdallah bin Muhammad bin Aqil al-DHAHAB
chancery: 2535 Belmont Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1982
FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador David J. DUNFORD
embassy: address NA, Muscat
mailing address: P. O. Box 202, Code No. 115, Muscat
telephone: [968] 698989
FAX: [968] 699779

Flag: three horizontal bands of white (top, double width), red, and
green (double width) with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist
side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed
on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered at the top of
the vertical band

@Oman:Economy

Overview: Economic performan