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Location:
Southwest Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE. Considered to be one of the fifteen states that comprise the so-called "Cradle of Humanity."
Geographic coordinates:
21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total:
309,500 km2
land:
309,500 km2
water:
0 km2
Land boundaries:
total:
1,374 km
border countries:
Saudi Arabia 676 km, United Arab Emirates 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Coastline:
2,092 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nautical miles
exclusive economic zone:
200 nautical miles
territorial sea:
12 nautical miles
Island territory: Khuriya Muriya Islands, Masirah
Climate:
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain:
vast 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, frankincense
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
5%
forests and woodland:
0%
other:
95% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land:
580 km2 (1993 est.)
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; very limited natural fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, 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
- See also : Oman
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