Three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal 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 near the top of the vertical band.
11 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah): Ad Dakhiliyah, Adh Dhahirah, Al Batinah North, Al Batinah South, Al Buryami, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah North, Ash Sharqiyah South, Masqat, Musandam, and Zufar.
Population:
2,713,462 (July 2002 est.) includes 527,078 non-nationals
Languages:
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Geographic coordinates:
21° 00' N, 57° 00' E
Area total:
212,460 sq. km
Land area:
212,460 sq. km
Water area:
0 sq. km
Total land boundaries:
1,374 km
Borders with neighbor countries:
Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Coastline:
2,092 km
Elevation extremes:
Arabian Sea 0 m - Jabal Shams 2,980 m
Internet country code:
.om
Currency:
Omani rial (OMR)
Name - conventional long form:
Sultanate of Oman
Name - conventional short form:
Oman
Name - local long form:
Saltanat Uman
Name - local short form:
Uman
Former name:
Muscat and Oman
Independence:
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
Constitution:
none on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a new basic law which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens