Oman

The Musandam Peninsula is separated from the rest of Oman by the United Arab Emirates. Here, the cliffs of the Hajar Mountains drop steeply into the sea. This region owes its nickname, “the Norway of the Middle East,” to its rugged, fjord-like landscape.

The Hajar Mountains stretch for about 600 kilometers along the sultanate’s northern coast to their southern foothills. The highest peak, Jebel Shams, at 3,009 meters, is located in the western Hajar Mountains.The approximately 30-kilometer-wide strip between the coast and the mountains is the Sultanate’s vegetable garden.
Thanks to the rainfall in the mountains, crops can be harvested year-round.

Deep canyons and wadis, which often carry water year-round, cut through the mountain range. Nestled between rocky cliffs lies the capital, “Muscat.” It has long been a center of maritime trade. Today, Sultan Qaboos reigns here from his new palace, nestled between the two fortresses of Djalali and Mirani.

West of Muscat lies the Wahiba Desert and the Ras al-Jinz Nature Reserve. The desert landscape is punctuated at wide intervals by oases, which stand in stark contrast to the desert vegetation.

To the south lies the Dhofar region, which makes up one-third of the country. The region is known for its fragrances. Frankincense, sandalwood, myrrh, musk, and roses are used to create the world’s most expensive perfumes. The monsoon season lasts from June through the end of August. Fog and drizzle keep daytime temperatures from rising above 30°C during this time.

Oman’s culture has been shaped by the long period of isolationist policy under Sultan Qaboos’s father; until 1970, the country was virtually untouched by Western influences. Today, Oman ranks among the most progressive countries on the Arabian Peninsula.

Let yourself be enchanted by the friendly, cosmopolitan people and the breathtaking landscapes.