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| Country Name: |
The Emirates of Oman Saltanat Uman سلطنة عُمان
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| Background: |
In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.
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| Area: |
212,460 sq km |
| Population: |
3,418,085 (July 2009 est.) |
| Ethnic Groups: |
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African |
| Borders: |
Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km |
| Natural Resources: |
petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas |
| Capital: |
Muscat |
| Government Type: |
monarchy |
| Independence: |
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) |
| Languages: |
Arabic, English |
| Currency: |
Omani Rial |
| GMT: |
GMT (+4) |
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