Where Is Oman?
Oman is a country in the Middle East (Western Asia), occupying the south-eastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and has a long coastline on the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman and — in Musandam — the Strait of Hormuz.
Oman on the map: key facts
| Region | Middle East / Western Asia; Arabian Peninsula; member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) |
|---|---|
| Capital | Muscat (about 23.6° N, 58.4° E) |
| Latitude / longitude range | About 16.6° N to 26.4° N; 52° E to 59.8° E |
| Land borders | United Arab Emirates (north-west), Saudi Arabia (west), Yemen (south-west) |
| Maritime neighbours | Iran across the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman; Pakistan across the Arabian Sea |
| Seas | Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Strait of Hormuz, and a short Persian Gulf shore in Musandam |
| Area | About 309,500 km² |
| Exclaves | Musandam and the small Madha enclave, both surrounded by UAE territory |
| Time zone | Gulf Standard Time, UTC+4 (no daylight saving) |
| Currency | Omani rial (OMR) |
Oman and its neighbours
To the north-west, Oman shares a long border with the UAE — Al Buraimi faces the UAE city of Al Ain, and the Batinah coast meets the UAE near Shinas. To the west the interior gives way to the Rub' al-Khali (Empty Quarter) on the Saudi border, and in the south-west Dhofar borders Yemen's Al Mahrah governorate. Musandam, at the northern tip, looks across the Strait of Hormuz to Iran, roughly 40 km away at the strait's narrowest point.
Extreme points
- Easternmost: Ras al Hadd / Ras al-Jinz, near Sur (about 59.8° E) — also the easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula.
- Northernmost: the tip of the Musandam peninsula on the Strait of Hormuz (about 26.4° N).
- Southernmost: the Yemeni border on the Dhofar coast (about 16.6° N).
- Highest: Jebel Shams in the Western Hajar, a little over 3,000 m.
Inside Oman
Oman is divided into 11 governorates and 63 wilayats. Physically it falls into a few regions: the Hajar mountains and Batinah coast in the north, the Sharqiyah and Wahiba Sands in the east, the flat centre of Al Wusta, and Dhofar in the south. The main cities are listed on the cities of Oman page, and the interactive map of Oman shows forts, wadis, beaches and more.
Frequently asked questions
What region is Oman in?
Oman is in the Middle East (Western Asia), on the south-eastern Arabian Peninsula. It is one of the six Gulf Cooperation Council states.
What countries border Oman?
The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Iran and Pakistan are maritime neighbours.
Is Oman in Asia or Africa?
Asia. Oman is on the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia, across the Arabian Sea from the Horn of Africa.
Is Oman a coastal country?
Yes. Most of its population lives near the coast, which runs along the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
Is Oman the same as Muscat?
No — Muscat is the capital city of Oman. Historically the state was called the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman until 1970.