Oman - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Oman, it was the origin of the name is uncertain, but it may date back at least 2,000 years, with an "Omana" mentioned by Pliny the Elder (1st century A.D.) and an "Omanon" by Ptolemy (2nd century A.D.); it is said to derive from Oman ben Ibrahim al Khalil (Oman ben Kahtan), who founded the state. The Government system in this country is the absolute monarchy type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 11 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafaza); Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Buraymi, Al Wusta, Az Zahirah, Janub al Batinah (Al Batinah South), Janub ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah South), Masqat (Muscat), Musandam, Shamal al Batinah (Al Batinah North), Shamal ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah North), Zufar (Dhofar)
National symbols
Khanjar dagger on top of two crossed swords.
The flag
The National flag of Oman has .
Info
The National Anthem
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| Lyric/music |
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More about the government of Oman
| Date of Independence | 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | National Day, 18 November |
| Legal system | mixed system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt |
| Constitution | |
| History | Promulgated by royal decree 6 November 1996 (the Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman serves as the constitution); amended by royal decree in 2011 |
| Amendment process | Promulgated by the sultan or proposed by the Council of Oman and drafted by a technical committee as stipulated by royal decree and then promulgated through royal decree |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | the father must be a citizen of Oman |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | unknown |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | Sultan and Prime Minister HAITHAM bin Tarik Al Said (since 11 January 2020) |
| Head of government | Sultan and Prime Minister HAITHAM bin Tarik Al Said (since 11 January 2020) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by the monarch |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | Majles |
| Legislative structure | Bicameral |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court (consists of 5 judges) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Judges nominated by the 9-member Supreme Judicial Council (chaired by the monarch) and appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for life |
| Subordinate courts | Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; magistrates' courts; military courts |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Talal Sulaiman AL-RAHBI (since 24 July 2025) |
| Chancery | 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 387-1980 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 745-4933 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman, Washington, USA - FM.gov.om |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Ana ESCROGIMA (since 4 December 2023) |
| Embassy | P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat |
| Mailing address | 6220 Muscat Place, Washington DC 20521 |
| Telephone | [968] 2464-3400 |
| FAX | [968] 2464-3740 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://om.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 5 (all cultural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Bahla Fort; Archaeological Sites of Bat; Land of Frankincense; Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman; Ancient Qalhat |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Oman
Info
International organization participation
All Important Facts about Oman
Want to know more about Oman? Check all different factbooks for Oman below.
