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Nestled on the south-eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula where golden desert sands meet the deep blue Arabia Sea, Oman is a land of awesome beauty swathed in history, myth and legend.

From the harsh uninhabitable desert of the west to the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter), to the lush green monsoon climes of Salalah and from it's highest mountain called the Jabal Shams (Mountain of the Sun) to it's deep mysterious caves, Oman is an intriguing blend of natural contrasts.

It is a mix of old and new, past and present. Ruins of ancient cities, tombs, mosques and majestic forts a testament to its rich history, exist alongside modern, vibrant cities. Myths surrounding the Lost City of Ubar and the heroic journeys of Sinbad are as much a part of it as is the reality of a modern country and society on the rise.

Hospitality is very much a part of the Omani tradition. You will always be greeted warmly, in fact if you stop to ask for directions while exploring the countryside you will almost certainly be invited in for kahwa (Omani coffee) and dates.

While the cities and large towns have shops and malls stocked with the very latest of gadgets from all over the world, to truly experience Oman you should visit the souks (traditional markets) where the scent of incense blends with that of exotic spices.

Also worth visiting is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. A marvel of Islamic architecture, the mosque's main prayer hall has a magnificent 263 square-metre prayer carpet, which contains 1700 million knots, weighs 21 tonnes and took four years to produce. The main prayer hall also has 35 chandeliers, the largest of which is 14 metres in height and 8 metres across, has 1122 lights and weighs 8 tons.

Cultural events to look forward to are the annual Muscat Festival held in January-February every year. Another thing you might want to see in Oman is a traditional bullfight because it is a fight in which the bull always wins. There is no bloodshed as the fight consists of two matched bulls being pitted against each other and the only thing injured is the pride of the loser!

HISTORY
The history of Oman dates back almost 5000 years. Ancient Sumerian tablets refer to it as Magan, a land rich in copper. In medieval times, Oman was a prosperous sea faring nation trading with Africa, India and the Far East. Strategically positioned between the East and the West, Oman was only partly occupied by the Portugese who gained control of some coastal towns and the Muscat harbour where they built two forts Jalali and Mirani. The Portuguese were soon ousted but their forts remain.

Fortresses are an important part of Oman's history and there are several magnificent examples all over the country. Particularly notable are: Jarbin Fort with its painted ceilings, dungeons and secret passages. Nizwa Fort which over looks the rich date plantations of Oman's capital city. Bahia Fort which as Oman's oldest fort is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

A large part of Oman's history is interwoven with the sea. The legend of Sinbad the Sailor and his fantastic adventures are said to be inspired by the stories of Omani sea captains.

To the south is the province of Dhofar, rich in history and frankincense. The region has been trading in this precious commodity since time immemorial. Studies date the trade to 5000 years ago though in all likelihood it stretches back even further. In Dhofar archaeologists have traced the outlines of an ancient city which might even be the lost city of Ubar.

With so much to offer, Oman is truly a fascinating destination for the traveller with an interest in history.