Middle East, southeastern tip of Arabian Peninsula.

GMT + 4.

309,500 sq km (119,500 sq miles).

3 million (UN, 2005).

9.69 per sq km.

Muscat. Population: 1.65 million (including the Batinah coastal plain, northwest of Muscat).

The Sultanate of Oman occupies the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula with almost 1700km (1062 miles) of coastline stretching along the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Gulf. It is bordered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the west and the Republic of Yemen to the south. The United Arab Emirates lies to the northwest of Oman and to the east lies the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

Legislative power is held by the Sultan who is Head of State and wields executive power as Prime Minister with the aid of a Council of Ministers. There is no legislature as such. The Council of Oman functions as an advisory body and is comprised of the 82-member Majlis as-Shura (Consultative Council) and the 41-member Majlis al-Dawlah (Council of State). Members of both are appointed by the Sultan. in the case of the Majlis as-Shura, the selection is made from 700-odd candidates elected from each vilayat (district).

Sultanate since 1744. Head of State and Government: Sultan Qaboos bin Sa'id since 1970.

Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken. Swahili is also spoken by the population from East Africa. German and French are spoken by some hotel staff.

Predominantly Ibadi Muslim, with Shi'ite Muslim, Sunni Muslim and Hindu minorities.

Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. A small gift, either promoting your company or country, is well received. As far as dress is concerned, it is important that women dress modestly, ie long skirts or dresses (below the knee) with long sleeves, men should wear trousers and shirts with sleeves. Tight-fitting clothes must be avoided and although this is not strictly followed by Westerners, it is far better to adopt this practice and avoid causing offence. Shorts should never be worn in public and beachwear is prohibited anywhere except the beach. Collecting sea shells, abalone, corals, crayfish and turtle eggs is also prohibited. Dumping litter is forbidden. It is polite not to smoke in public, but generally no-smoking signs are posted where appropriate. Homosexual behaviour is illegal. Photography: Visitors should ask permission before attempting to photograph people or their property. 'No Photography' signs exist in certain places and must be observed.

220/240 volts AC, 50Hz.