country comparison to the world: 2
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Natural gas - proved reserves:
2.313 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
Current account balance:
$60.23 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
$53.53 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$137 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$122 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals,
chemicals, ships, fish
Exports - partners:
UK 24.28%, Germany 13.4%, Netherlands 10.87%, France 8.55%, Sweden
5.76%, US 4.82% (2009)
Imports:
$74.02 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$66.68 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Sweden 13.86%, Germany 12.89%, China 7.8%, Denmark 6.78%, US 6.16%,
UK 6.01% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$48.86 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.232 trillion (30 June 2010)
country comparison to the world: 7
$475.9 billion (31 December 2008)
note: Norway is a net external creditor
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$132.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$128.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$226.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
$206 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 6.1533 (2010), 6.2883 (2009),
5.6361 (2008), 5.86 (2007), 6.418 (2006)
Communications ::Norway
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.9 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 57
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.336 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 93
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the most advanced
telecommunications networks in Europe
domestic: Norway has a domestic satellite system; the prevalence of
rural areas encourages the wide use of mobile-cellular systems
international: country code - 47; 2 buried coaxial cable systems;
submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe;
satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note -
Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic
countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (1999)
Broadcast media:
state-owned public radio-TV broadcaster operates 3 nationwide
television stations, 3 nationwide radio stations, and 16 regional
radio stations; roughly a dozen privately-owned television stations
broadcast nationally and roughly another 25 local TV stations are
available; nearly 75% of households have access to multi-channel
cable or satellite TV systems; 2 privately-owned radio stations
broadcast nationwide and another 240 stations operate locally (2008)
Internet country code:
.no
Internet hosts:
3.352 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 27
Internet users:
4.431 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 53
Transportation ::Norway
Airports:
98 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 61
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 67
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 18
under 914 m: 25 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 31
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 25 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
condensate 31 km; gas 64 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 4,114 km
country comparison to the world: 40
standard gauge: 4,114 km 1.435-m gauge (2,552 km electrified) (2009)
Roadways:
total: 92,946 km
country comparison to the world: 52
paved: 72,033 km (includes 664 km of expressways)
unpaved: 20,913 km (2007)
Waterways:
1,577 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 53
Merchant marine:
total: 632
country comparison to the world: 19
by type: bulk carrier 43, cargo 133, carrier 5, chemical tanker 139,
combination ore/oil 12, container 1, liquefied gas 53, passenger 3,
passenger/cargo 116, petroleum tanker 58, refrigerated cargo 14,
roll on/roll off 9, vehicle carrier 46
foreign-owned: 104 (Bermuda 5, Canada 1, China 25, Cyprus 1, Denmark
11, Estonia 1, Finland 1, France 4, Iceland 3, Italy 3, Lithuania 1,
Monaco 1, Poland 2, Saudi Arabia 3, Sweden 33, US 9)
registered in other countries: 940 (Antigua and Barbuda 9, Australia
1, Bahamas 198, Barbados 41, Belize 3, Bermuda 5, Brazil 3, Canada
4, Chile 1, Comoros 2, Cook Islands 6, Croatia 2, Cyprus 12, Denmark
2, Dominica 1, Equatorial Guinea 1, Estonia 2, Faroe Islands 6,
Finland 2, France 1, Gibraltar 42, Hong Kong 49, Indonesia 4,
Ireland 3, Isle of Man 26, Italy 6, Japan 1, Liberia 42, Libya 1,
Malta 84, Marshall Islands 57, Netherlands 18, former Netherlands
Antilles 2, Panama 89, Portugal 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines 12, Singapore 132, Spain 10, Sweden 3, UK
39, US 10, Vanuatu 1, Venezuela 1, unknown 4) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Bergen, Haugesund, Maaloy, Mongstad, Narvik, Sture
Military ::Norway
Military branches:
Norwegian Army (Haeren), Royal Norwegian Navy (Kongelige Norske
Sjoeforsvaret, RNoN; includes Coastal Rangers and Coast Guard
(Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske
Luftforsvaret, RNoAF), Home Guard (Heimevernet, HV) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-44 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of
age in wartime; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age
for women; 12-month service obligation, in practice shortened to 8
to 9 months; although all males between ages of 18 and 44 are liable
for service, in practice they are seldom called to duty after age
30; reserve obligation to age 35-60; 16 years of age for volunteers
to the Home Guard, who serve 6-month duty tours (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,078,562
females age 16-49: 1,049,529 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 888,310
females age 16-49: 864,344 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 32,045
female: 30,610 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Transnational Issues ::Norway
Disputes - international:
Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land
and its continental shelf); Russia and Norway reached an agreement
on how to align Barents Sea and Arctic Ocean boundaries over EEZ and
continental shelf in an agreement signed on 15 September 2010; this
agreement is pending ratification by the respective national
assemblies
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Oman (Middle East)
Introduction ::Oman
Background:
The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian
Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate
in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with
Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and
military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony.
In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of
his father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive
modernization program has opened the country to the outside world
while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's
moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good
relations with all Middle Eastern countries.
Geography ::Oman
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian
Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Geographic coordinates:
21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 309,500 sq km
country comparison to the world: 70
land: 309,500 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries:
total: 1,374 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Coastline:
2,092 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong
southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain:
central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m
highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium,
gypsum, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 0.12%
permanent crops: 0.14%
other: 99.74% (2005)
Irrigated land:
720 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
1 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.36 cu km/yr (7%/2%/90%)
per capita: 529 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in
interior; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; limited
natural fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of
Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
People ::Oman
Population:
2,967,717
country comparison to the world: 136
note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.7% (male 744,265/female 714,116)
15-64 years: 54.5% (male 1,079,511/female 783,243)
65 years and over: 2.8% (male 55,180/female 41,770) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 23.9 years
male: 25.4 years
female: 22.1 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.996% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Birth rate:
23.9 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Death rate:
3.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
Net migration rate:
-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Urbanization:
urban population: 72% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.34 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female
total population: 1.23 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 118
male: 16.28 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 15.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.97 years
country comparison to the world: 105
male: 72.15 years
female: 75.88 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.87 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1,300 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Nationality:
noun: Omani(s)
adjective: Omani
Ethnic groups:
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan,
Bangladeshi), African
Religions:
Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu)
25%
Languages:
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: 81.4%
male: 86.8%
female: 73.5% (2003 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
4% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 107
Government ::Oman
Country name:
conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form: Oman
local long form: Saltanat Uman
local short form: Uman
former: Muscat and Oman
Government type:
monarchy
Capital:
name: Muscat
geographic coordinates: 23 37 N, 58 35 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
5 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 4 governorates*
(muhafazat, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al
Buraymi*, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat (Muscat)*,
Musandam*, Zufar (Dhofar)*
Independence:
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday:
Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
Constitution:
none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree
promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be a
constitution 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
Legal system:
based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the
monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and
security forces are not allowed to vote
Executive branch:
chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al-Said
(sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972);
note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said
Al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July
1972)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary
Legislative branch:
bicameral Majlis Oman consists of Majlis al-Dawla or upper chamber
(71 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has only advisory
powers and Majlis al-Shura or lower chamber (84 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; body has only
advisory powers)
elections: last held on 27 October 2007 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: new candidates won 46 seats and 38 members of the
outgoing Majlis kept their positions; none of the 20 female
candidates was elected
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has
judges who practice secular and sharia law
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD,
IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU,
LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU,
WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad
al-MUGHAIRI
chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980
FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard J. SCHMIERER
embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat
mailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos,
Muscat
telephone: [968] 24-643-400
FAX: [968] 24-699771
Flag description:
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; white represents peace and prosperity, red recalls battles
against foreign invaders, and green symbolizes the Jebel Akhdar
(Green Mountains) and fertility
National anthem:
name: "Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem)
lyrics/music: Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS,
arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS
note: adopted 1932; new words were written after QABOOS bin Said al
Said gained power in 1970; the anthem was first performed by the
band of a British ship as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit
to Muscat; the bandmaster of the HMS Hawkins was asked to write a
salutation to the Sultan on the occasion of his visiting the ship
Economy ::Oman
Economy - overview:
Oman is a middle-income economy that is heavily dependent on
dwindling oil resources. Because of declining reserves, Muscat has
actively pursued a development plan that focuses on diversification,
industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing
the oil sector's contribution to GDP to 9% by 2020. Tourism and
gas-based industries are key components of the government's
diversification strategy. By using enhanced oil recovery techniques,
Oman succeeded in increasing oil production, giving the country more
time to diversify, and the increase in global oil prices thoughout
2010 provides the government greater financial resources to invest
in non-oil sectors.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$76.53 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
$73.87 billion (2009 est.)
$72.42 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$53.78 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
2% (2009 est.)
12.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$25,800 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
$25,400 (2009 est.)
$25,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 48.2%
services: 50.3% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
968,800
country comparison to the world: 142
note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national (2007)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
15% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
26.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Public debt:
4.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
5.5% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
3.5% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
0.05% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 135
0.91% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.44% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
7.1% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$7.257 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 78
$6.15 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$22.35 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
$20.52 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$22.05 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
$19.34 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$17.3 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 63
$14.91 billion (31 December 2008)
$23.06 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish
Industries:
crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas
(LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals,
optic fiber
Industrial production growth rate:
4.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Electricity - production:
13.58 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Electricity - consumption:
11.36 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
816,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Oil - consumption:
84,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Oil - exports:
593,700 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Oil - imports:
17,290 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Oil - proved reserves:
5.5 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Natural gas - production:
24 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Natural gas - consumption:
13.46 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Natural gas - exports:
10.89 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Natural gas - imports:
350 million cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Natural gas - proved reserves:
849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Current account balance:
$2.724 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
-$2.143 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$36.12 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
$27.65 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Exports - partners:
China 26.98%, South Korea 17.19%, Japan 12.12%, UAE 11.23%, Thailand
7.64% (2009)
Imports:
$19.3 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
$16.13 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food,
livestock, lubricants
Imports - partners:
UAE 22.9%, Japan 13.99%, US 6.46%, China 5.64%, India 5.27%, France
5.19%, South Korea 4.65% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$14 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$12.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$8.829 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
$7.061 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.3845 (2010), 0.3845 (2009),
0.3845 (2008), 0.3845 (2007), 0.3845 (2006)
Communications ::Oman
Telephones - main lines in use:
300,100 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 114
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.971 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 104
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire,
microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited
coaxial cable; domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations
domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership both
increasing with fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced
to remote villages using wireless local loop systems
international: country code - 968; the Fiber-Optic Link Around the
Globe (FLAG) and the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable provide
connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth
stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2008)
Broadcast media:
1 state-run TV broadcaster; TV stations transmitting from Saudi
Arabia, the UAE, and Yemen are accessible via satellite TV;
state-run radio operates multiple stations; first private radio
station began operation in 2007 and 2 additional stations now
operating (2007)
Internet country code:
.om
Internet hosts:
9,114 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 126
Internet users:
1.465 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 83
Transportation ::Oman
Airports:
130 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 45
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 11
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 119
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 51
914 to 1,523 m: 33
under 914 m: 26 (2010)
Heliports:
3 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 4,209 km; oil 3,558 km; refined products 263 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 68,467 km
country comparison to the world: 69
paved: 23,223 km (includes 1,384 km of expressways)
unpaved: 30,207 km (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 4
country comparison to the world: 134
by type: chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2
registered in other countries: 9 (Panama 8, Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar
Military ::Oman