Introduction.  

The Government and the people of the Sultanate of Oman are pleased to bring to you the "Window on Oman" exhibition. Through this exhibition, we hope you will come to know more about this land, it's people and their achievements over the last 26 years, brought about by the Government of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said who has held the reins of power since 1970. This exhibition between the Sultanate of Oman and the United States of America, which was established 155 years ago. We hope you will find this exhibition interesting, informative and a real window on Oman.

Introduction Sharp Contrasts Prosperity Land History

Seafaring Frankincese Islamic era Muscat Oman&U.S.A

Oman land of sharp contrasts.

 Oman could well be called a microcosm for almost every geographical and topographical feature found around the world. Starting with stark rocky mountains in the north, the country sweeps its way through vistas of golden sands, wadis ( dry river beds ), beautiful waterfalls, fertile oases, down to the lush green mountains in the south, while its 1700 kms of coastline provides Oman with some of the most beautiful beaches to be found anywhere in the world. The climate of Oman is equally diverse - dictated by the region and the time of year. In some areas it can be very cold in winter, while being temperate in others. In summer, on the other hand, it can be very hot just about everywhere, except high in the mountains. The temperatures tend to remain between 16 degrees C to 22 degree C during winter and the wet seasons. Oman has two rainy seasons, the monsoon in the south ( Dhofar region ) occurs between June and September; and from November to February in Muscat and interior. The climate during the monsoon and winter months has proved to be very attractive to a vast migrant bird population who break journey in Oman on their way to the northern and southern hemispheres.

Introduction Sharp Contrasts Prosperity Land History

Seafaring Frankincese Islamic era Muscat Oman&U.S.A

The prosperity of Oman.

Oman's prosperity rests on its geographical location, its land, and the seas that embrace its coastline. Its geographical location astride the monsoon trade routes which link India and Africa, and both with the Gulf, has been traditionally exploited by enterprising Omanis; their country has long been a major seafaring nation. Its green, fertile fields and terraces and the natural bounty of its agricultural products have been enhanced by the ingenuity of man in building extensive irrigation systems, while the marine wealth of its coastline, with its rich underwater life and pollution-free seas have added immeasurably to the country's resources.

Introduction Sharp Contrasts Prosperity Land History

Seafaring Frankincese Islamic era Muscat Oman&U.S.A

The land of Oman.  

Oman's agriculture has long been the basic of the nation's wealth. One of the most verdant and beautiful countries in the Arab world. it is 312,000 square kilometers in area, and the variety of its land, from regions watered by monsoon rain to mountains over 3,000 meter high, ensures a wide range of crops. These vary from the villages of the Jebel Akhdar (the mountain region), where at 1,800 meters above sea level, roses and pomegranates grow in abundance, to the monsoon areas of the south where coconuts, bananas, papayas and animal fodder flourish. In the Interior or central regions, dates and wheat are produced, while along the northern coastline, limes are the second crop after dates.

Introduction Sharp Contrasts Prosperity Land History

Seafaring Frankincese Islamic era Muscat Oman&U.S.A

Early history of Oman.  

The pre-history Stone Age implement found in Oman are regarded as being among the first evidence of all human activity. These artifacts date back to the period from about 50 - 30,000 years ago while the latest found are as recent as 500 B.C. The first ancient villages found in Oman date from the end of the Fourth Millennium B.C., six thousand years ago. Just as almost the only record of Stone Age man are his stone implements, so the first indications of life in Oman are also seen in pottery that has been excavated, proving that Oman enjoyed widespread contacts with people from other lands and also was a melting pot for other cultures in those remote times. The IIarvard Archaeological Survey has located seventeen settlements which can be attributed to the Third Millennium B.C. From the accumulated evidence, a preliminary idea of the conditions of life in Oman during the Bronze Age can be gleaned. In the Third Millennium B.C. Oman was a land of prosperous villages with economies based mainly an agricultural systems irrigated by rains and floods. The settlement area ranges on an average from one a half to two and a half hectares in area. Copper was mined in several localities, and ancient smelting sites have been identified. Oman, even in those early days presented a picture of industry and the beginnings of civilized progress.

Introduction Sharp Contrasts Prosperity Land History

Seafaring Frankincese Islamic era Muscat Oman&U.S.A

Oman a seafaring nation.  

As long ago as 200 B.C. ships from Oman, the land then known as Magan, traded with Mesopotamia and India and other places and peoples eager for their cargoes. They carried copper from Oman's mountains, building material, fine marble and later, the highly-prized frankincense. Trade with China and elsewhere in the Far East later became an important part of the increasing pattern of Oman's expanding commercial activities.

Introduction Sharp Contrasts Prosperity Land History

Seafaring Frankincese Islamic era Muscat Oman&U.S.A

The importance of Frankincense.  

The most important export from Oman, and in fact from Arabia, in ancient times was frankincense. It was highly valued in many parts of the ancient world - namely Egypt, China and Rome - particularly as an aromatic and a medicine. Frankincense comes from a desert tree which grows only in Southeast Arabia and Somalia, but from time immemorial Dhofar, in the southern part of Oman, has been the acknowledged producer of the finest frankincense, where it has always been a major commercial asset. Considered the best in the world, it is still widely exported. The main exports of frankincense from Southeast Arabia emanated from the port of Khor Rori, in Dhofar, known to the Greeks as Moscha.

Introduction Sharp Contrasts Prosperity Land History

Seafaring Frankincese Islamic era Muscat Oman&U.S.A

Oman in the early Islamic era.  

In the early Islamic period Oman's horizons extended dramatically. In the eighth century A.D. Omani sailors who, before Islam, had not ventured East of Sri Lanka (Ceylon), were already sailing to China. An Omani, Abu Ubayda bin AlQasim, who lived in the first half of the eighth century was the first Arab to make the perilous 7,000 km. journey to Guangzhou (Canton) and back.

Sohar - from where legendary sailors sailed

Sohar, on Oman's northern coast, was its largest town and became a seaport of international fame. The great Arab geographer al-Istakhri wrote of Oman in the 10th century: "Sohar, the heart of Oman, lives on the sea coast and it rich with shops where ships anchor. It is the oldest city in Oman and the most wealthy one. There in on prosperous and developed city on the Persian Sea and Muslim countries other than Sohar."

Introduction Sharp Contrasts Prosperity Land History

Seafaring Frankincese Islamic era Muscat Oman&U.S.A

The history of Muscat.  

Muscat's recorded history goes back to the fist century A.D. when it was almost certainly the 'concealed harbour' mentioned by the Greek geographer Ptolemy. In the early Islamic times, Muscat was minor port by comparison with Sohar, but it was of growing importance by the 9th century A.D. Ships sailing from the Gulf to India called at Muscat to draw their last supplies of water for the voyage. During the 14th and 15th centuries A.D. Muscat increased considerably in importance. The famous Arab sailor Ahmed bin Majid sailed from Muscat and has left description of its trade in 1490 A.D.:" Muscat is a port, the like of which cannot be found in the whole world, where there are businesses and good things which cannot be found elsewhere. Muscat is the port of Oman where year by year the ships load up with fruit and horses and they sell in it cloth, vegetable oils and grain and all ships aim for it. It is a cape between who different routes, safe in every wind and possesses fresh water and a hospitable and sociable people who love strangers." Muscat reached its greatest prosperity under the first ruler of Al Bu Said dynasty. Imam Ahmad bin Said, the founder of the dynasty, ruled from Rostaq (60 kms south of Muscat). Under his peaceful and progressive rule Muscat flourished as never before. Under Imam Ahmad's son, Muscat became the capital of Oman. Through the eyes of a visitor C.E Parsons visited Muscat in 1776 A.D. The town was then the emporium of the Western Indian Ocean, and so effective was the rule of law that theft from the valuable cargoes that flowed through the city was unknown. Parsons wrote: "Muscat is a place of very great trade, being possessed of a large number of ships which trade to Surat, Bombay, Goa, along the whole coast of Malabar, and to Mocha Jedda in the Red Sea. It is the great deposit for the goods which they bring from those part: it is resorted to by vessels from every port in Persia, from Basra and all the parts of Arabia within the gulf and from the coast of Qaramaniah without the gulf as far as the Indus River, and many places adjacent to that river".

Introduction Sharp Contrasts Prosperity Land History

Seafaring Frankincense Islamic era Muscat Oman&U.S.A

Oman & U.S.A relationship. 

Despite the thousands of miles that physically separate Oman and the United States, the two countries always had common interests. Both had seafaring traditions, being each a maritime trading society. Sayyid Said bin Sultan Al Bu Said, the great-great-grandfather of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, encouraged greater American trading interest in his country. For the better part of a quarter-century, he maintained close personal and commercial relationships with Americans. Sultanah arrives in New York: Sayyid Said's ship, the Sultanah, sailed from Muscat on December 23, 1839 arriving in New York harbour on April 30, 1840. Aboard as supercargo and as Sayyid Said's special envoy was secretary Ahmad bin Na'aman, charged with delivering letters and gifts for the President of the United States. A few days later New York City officials visited him aboard his ship to extend the civilities and hospitality of the City, a distinction rarely accorded foreign visitors. A new era of understanding Today, the United States and Oman share common interests and objectives in the Arabian Gulf area in the pursuit of peace, regional stability, security and economic development. This relationship stands as a model of how free people, determined to maintain their national integrity and political independence, can cooperate in their mutual interest, and in that of humanity everywhere.