Page 4 - Staff Induction Handbook 2022-23

Part One: The Sultanate of Oman and Dhofar Governorate

1.1. About the Sultanate of Oman

The Sultanate of Oman is an independent state covering 309,500 sq. kms. of the
south east Arabian Peninsula in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. As of January
2022, it has an estimated population of 5.16 million including nearly 45% expatriates.
It was formerly known as Muscat and Oman. It is bordered in the west by Yemen and
Saudi Arabia and on the north by the United Arab Emirates, which separates the
major portion of the Sultanate from a small area in the Strait of Hormuz. The capital
and largest city is Muscat. For administrative purposes, the country is divided into
eleven governorates. Within the governorates Oman is divided into sixty-one
provinces called Wilayats.

For the most part, Oman comprises a narrow coastal plain backed by hill ranges and
an interior desert plateau. The highest point is Jebel Shams (9, 900 ft. / 3,018 m). In
the extreme north, dates, limes, nuts and vegetables are cultivated and in the
southwest there is an abundance of cattle and other livestock. Fishing is an important
industry. The major product, however, is oil, which was discovered in Oman in 1964
and first exported in 1967. Natural gas production and small copper mines were
developed in the early 1980s and are a part of Oman's growing industries. The
inhabitants are mostly Arabs; there are also minorities of Pakistanis, Indians, Africans,
Baluchis and migrant workers of various ethnicities.

For more details, see:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oman

http://www.omansultanate.com

1.2. About the Dhofar Governorate

Dhofar is a masterpiece of nature's artistry and generosity. It occupies the southern
parts of the Sultanate of Oman. Bordered by the Al Wusta Governorate in the east, the
Arabian Sea to the south, the Republic of Yemen in the south west and Saudi Arabia
across the "Empty Quarter" or Al Rub'a Al Khali in the North West. It covers an area of
100,000 sq. kms which is almost one third of Oman. Salalah is also the administrative
capital of Oman with all modern facilities. Dhofar is climatically different from the rest
of Oman due to the effects of the monsoon rains which occur between June and
September. The temperature is moderate, rarely exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. Dhofar
is divided naturally into three areas: the coastal plain, the mountains and the desert.
Freshwater wells and natural springs originating in the mountains supply an

abundance of water to the coastal plain, enabling agriculture to thrive. Bananas,
coconuts, sugar cane, papaya, cereal and animal fodder crops are cultivated. Gypsum
and limestone mining also contribute to the economy. Oman has strategically located Ports.
The recently developed Port of Duqm, Port of Salalah and Port of Sohar play an important
role in the maritime trade of Oman and connect the East and the West.

Dhofar University Staff Induction Handbook (2022-23) Page 3 of 29