World Factbook
Oman
Saltanat Uman
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), red, and green, with a vertical red band on the left side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath on top of crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band meaning: white stands for peace and prosperity, red for battles against foreign invaders, and green for the Jebel al Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility
Capital
name
Muscat
etymology
the name derives from the Arabic name for the city, Masqat, which is said to mean "hidden" and refers to the range of hills that isolate the port city from the rest of the country
time difference
UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
23 37 N, 58 35 E
Suffrage
21 years of age; universal
note: members of the military and security forces by law cannot vote
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
the father must be a citizen of Oman
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
unknown
Constitution
history
promulgated by royal decree 6 November 1996 (the Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman serves as the constitution); amended by royal decree in 2011
amendment process
promulgated by the sultan or proposed by the Council of Oman and drafted by a technical committee as stipulated by royal decree and then promulgated through royal decree
Country name
former
Sultanate of Muscat and Oman
etymology
the origin of the name is uncertain, but it may date back at least 2,000 years, with an "Omana" mentioned by Pliny the Elder (1st century A.D.) and an "Omanon" by Ptolemy (2nd century A.D.); it is said to derive from Oman ben Ibrahim al Khalil (Oman ben Kahtan), who founded the state
local long form
Saltanat Uman
local short form
Uman
conventional long form
Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form
Oman
Independence
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
Legal system
mixed system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law
Government type
absolute monarchy
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of 5 judges)
subordinate courts
Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; magistrates' courts; military courts
judge selection and term of office
judges nominated by the 9-member Supreme Judicial Council (chaired by the monarch) and appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for life
Executive branch
note
note: the monarch is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the monarch
chief of state
Sultan and Prime Minister HAITHAM bin Tarik Al Said (since 11 January 2020)
head of government
Sultan and Prime Minister HAITHAM bin Tarik Al Said (since 11 January 2020)
National holiday
National Day, 18 November
note: celebrates Oman's independence from Portugal in 1650 and the birthday of Sultan QABOOS bin Said al Said, who reigned from 1970 to 2020
National color(s)
red, white, green
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
5 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Bahla Fort; Archaeological Sites of Bat; Land of Frankincense; Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman; Ancient Qalhat
Political parties
note: organized political parties are banned in Oman, and loyalties tend to form around tribal affiliations
Legislative branch
legislature name
Majles
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem)
history
adopted 1932; new lyrics written after QABOOS bin Said al Said came to power in 1970; first performed by the band of the HMS Hawkins as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit to Muscat; the ship's bandmaster did the arrangement
lyrics/music
Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS, arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS
National symbol(s)
khanjar dagger on top of two crossed swords
Administrative divisions
11 governorates ( muhafazat , singular - muhafaza ); Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Buraymi, Al Wusta, Az Zahirah, Janub al Batinah (Al Batinah South), Janub ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah South), Masqat (Muscat), Musandam, Shamal al Batinah (Al Batinah North), Shamal ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah North), Zufar (Dhofar)
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
Shura Council (Majles A'Shura)
term in office
4 years
number of seats
90 (all directly elected)
electoral system
other systems
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
11/1/2023
expected date of next election
October 2027
percentage of women in chamber
0%
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
State Council (Majles Addawla)
term in office
4 years
number of seats
87 (all appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
10/29/2023
expected date of next election
November 2027
percentage of women in chamber
20.9%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 745-4933
chancery
2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 387-1980
chief of mission
Ambassador Talal Sulaiman AL-RAHBI (since 24 July 2025)
email address and website
washington@fm.gov.om Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman, Washington, USA - FM.gov.om
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[968] 2464-3740
embassy
P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat
telephone
[968] 2464-3400
mailing address
6220 Muscat Place, Washington DC 20521
chief of mission
Ambassador Ana ESCROGIMA (since 4 December 2023)
email address and website
ConsularMuscat@state.gov https://om.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt