FACTS

Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE

Area (only Total) total: 212,460 sq km

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

Population: 3,311,640

Main Language (only first): Arabic

Government type: monarchy

Capital (Name): Muscat

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+4

Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

National holiday: Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)