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)* |
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Capital city > Geographic coordinates
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23 37 N, 58 35 E |
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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 |
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Corruption
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6.3 |
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[28th of 160]
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Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address
P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Muscat |
Executive branch > Cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the monarch |
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 |
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 |
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Government type
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monarchy |
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Independence
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) |
Judicial branch
Supreme Court; note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has judges who practice secular and Sharia law |
Legal system
based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
Legislative branch
bicameral Majlis Oman consists of Majlis al-Dawla or upper chamber (70 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory powers only) and Majlis al-Shura or lower chamber (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; body has some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has only advisory powers) |
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Political parties and leaders
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none |
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Political pressure groups and leaders
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none |
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Status
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absolute monarchy |
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Suffrage
21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces are not allowed to vote |
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Time required to start a business > days
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34 days
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[92nd of 171]
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Trademarks, residents
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220
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[76th of 98]
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Transnational Issues > Disputes > International
boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah exclave, but details of the alignment have not been made public |
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