During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Sultans of Muscat (Oman) were often powerful figures in Arabia and East Africa, who often came into conflict with the colonial powers in the region, particularly the Portuguese, who first settled in the 16th century, in an attempt to protect their eastern trade routes.

Close ties with Britain were established in 1798, when a treaty of friendship was concluded. British influence remains strong, though the number of British advisers occupying key positions in Omani Government Departments has steadily declined. During the early years of his reign, which began in 1970, Sultan Qaboos’ overriding priority was to deal with an insurgency in the western part of his kingdom, conducted by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman (PFLO) with the backing of the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen; since unified with North Yemen).

The defeat of the insurgents served to increase both domestic and foreign pressure on Qaboos to introduce democratic reforms. A series of incremental measures were introduced to modernise and liberalize this previously autocratic regime. Two Consultative Assemblies, the Majlis as-Shura and the Majlis al-Dawlah, were groomed to assume the functions of a Bicameral Parliament at the turn of the millennium, but this has not yet happened. The two Majlis have some influence over domestic affairs but no say in foreign and defense matters. The most recent poll for the Majlis as-Shura in November 2003 registered little change in its make-up: no formal political parties are allowed but supporters of the Sultan are in the majority.

In recent years, Omani concerns have been focused further afield. In 1981, Oman was a founder member of the Gulf Co-operation Council and has played a leading role in promoting its increasing involvement in regional security issues. The country’s strategic importance to the West has been underlined throughout the last two decades as it has been used as a staging post for Anglo-American military, naval and air operations, most recently in both assaults on Afghanistan and Iraq. In 1994, Oman was also the first Gulf state to establish official relations with Israel. It has managed to, under politically delicate circumstances, also foster cordial relations with countries such as Iran, now extending as far as mutual security co-operation in the Gulf.

Oman is a chameleon of a country: whatever you want it to be, it will become. If you are seeking a modern country, you will spot its cosmopolitan shopping malls and well-equipped watersports facilities. If you are seeking antiquity and tradition, you will observe ancient trading towns and smell the aroma of frankincense. Very much still an Islamic country, resplendent mosques jostle alongside large hotel complexes. Oman is a beautiful country, and, moreover, very unspoiled – whatever you are looking for, you are sure to find it here.

Geography
The Sultanate of Oman occupies the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula with almost 1700km (1062 miles) of coastline stretching along the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Gulf. It is bordered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the west and the Republic of Yemen to the south. The United Arab Emirates lies to the northwest of Oman and to the east lies the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.