Oman is situated on the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula and has a coastline that extends from the straits of Hormuz in the north to the borders of Yemen in the south. It overlooks 3 seas, The Arabian Gulf, The Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

Due to its strategic position, Oman has had a rich, powerful and varied history.

First to take advantage of this were the Portuguese who occupied Muscat for 143 years between 1507 and 1650. Additionally they controlled Mombasa, Zanzibar and other coastal regions north of Mozambique.

Omani's started to push for control in the 1690's, eventually succeeding in 1979 when the Al Said dynasty came to power. They continue to rule to this day.

Zanzibar remained a very valuable property as the centre of the slave market during this time. So much so that by the mid 19th Century the then Imam of Muscat, Sai'id ibn Sultan built impressive palaces and gardens there. Rivalry between the Sultan's two sons lead the British to intervene, eventually resulting in one son inheriting Zanzibar and the other son inheriting Muscat and Oman.

Oman as we know it now was still a divided territory. The coastal regions including the capital Muscat and the interior (known as Oman) that include the Al Hajar mountains and Jebel Akhdar. The Treaty of Seeb signed in 1920 finally brought the country together.

Between 1932 and 1970 the country went through a period of isolation and internally worked a system that can be characterised as feudal. This remained the status quo until a bloodless coup saw Qaboos bin Said depose his father Sultan Said bin Taimur. Following the coup Sultan Qaboos opened up Oman and embarked on a series of reforms and a programme of modernisation. 1970 also saw slavery finally outlawed.

Today Oman is rich in oil with their economy still dependent on oil exports. Tourism is growing fast and it is hoped that it will become one of the largest industries in the country.