Can you give me any information about Oman

Asks olga carola

A. The Sultanate of Oman is in the Arabian Peninsula; it is bordered by the Arabian Sea (and the Gulf of Oman) on its east coast, Saudi Arabia on the west, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the north and Yemen in the south.

The weather here is extremely hot - Oman is one of the hottest countries in the world. In the capital, Muscat, average winter temperatures are usually around 30C, with summer temperatures topping 48C. The geographical topography of the country is vast and varied - it ranges from wild green areas, mountain ranges, desert and wadis (riverbeds).

The Sultan Qaboos bin Said has ruled the country since 1970, and although he has ultimate power this is disseminated through various ministries. He is a progressive leader who has established first class health, education and telecommunications networks within the country. Oman also has a stable economy.

The population of Oman stands at approximately 2 million, 91% live in rural areas. It is a Muslim country, although other religions are permitted.

Q. Do I need a visa to visit Oman

A. Up until the early 1990s it was difficult to obtain a tourist visa to visit Oman, and until the mid-1990s you had to have a NOC - No Objection Certificate (available from good hotels) to accompany any visa application. This process is now a lot more relaxed.

You can either obtain a business visa within seven days that lasts for three months, or a tourist visa. A tourist visa comes in two formats, sponsored and non-sponsored. A sponsored visa is obtainable from recognised (official) travel agents that are affiliated to authorised tourist agents within Oman - you would probably travel on this type of visa if you visited Oman as part of an organised tour.

Non-sponsored visas take about 36 hours to process and are available from Omani embassies or consulates in foreign countries. In the UK, you can contact the embassy at the following address:

Omani Embassy, 167 Queens Gate, London, SW7 5HE. Telephone: 020 7 225 0001 or

020 7 589 2840 or Fax: 020 7 589 2505.

Q. What is there to see and do in Oman as a tourist

A. Most tourists will use Muscat as their base and work their way out from there into the interior. There are many traditional buildings and areas you can visit. Full details on where to find these can be obtained from your hotel or travel agent before you leave the UK.

Beaches: Oman has some of the most beautiful, unspoilt beaches in the world - made even more so by the fact that they are not swarming with tourists. The coastline stretches for 1,700km and some of the best beaches, with fantastic coral reefs are found at: Aviation Beach (near the Civil Aviation Club in Al Azaiba); Qurum Beach (below the Crowne Plaza Hotel); and the Marjan Beach (near Petroleum Development Oman).

Wadis: a wadi is a dried up riverbed found in mountain valleys. Some wadis have year-round running water, with deep, cool pools in which it is quite safe to swim if the currents are slow. Usually, wadis are only accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle, as the terrain can be extremely bumpy. Wadis are green, lush oases of palm trees, grasses, and flowering shrubs. To find you nearest wadi, ask at your hotel where an organised trip can usually be arranged.

Citadels and forts: visiting an old castle or fort is one of the main tourist activities here. If you are staying in Muscat the nearest is

Nakhl Fort (Al Batinah), which is within an hour's drive of the capital and is 350 years old.

Souqs: the traditional Arab marketplace is known as a souq and is found in most Arab towns and cities, not just in Oman. Most Omani souqs are situated within the ancient defences of city walls or forts. Here, traders meet not only to buy and sell their wares, but also to exchange news and views. Many trade in gold and silver, but they usually sell most goods. Souqs are often made up of numerous small and complex alleyways that are easy to get lost in. Bargaining is the order of the day in a souq, and tourists are expected to haggle too. In Muscat, the main Souq is in Muttrah (on the Corniche).

Q. What are the Omani people like

A. They are very friendly and relaxed and many speak English, although Arabic is their mother tongue. They are also a reserved and quiet people, respect for their privacy and their religion should be observed at all times.

Q. Should any dress restrictions be observed in Oman

A. Both men and women should dress conservatively, ensuring that legs and arms are covered where possible. It is OK to wear a swimming costume at a swimming pool or at the beach.

Q. What airlines fry to Oman

A. British Airways, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Swiss Air and Emirates all fly to Seeb International Airport in Muscat.

Q. Do I need any immunisations to visit

A. If you intend to visit rural areas you should have Hepatitis A&B and typhoid vaccinations.

Q. How would I go about finding a hotel in Oman

A. You can book through a tour operator, or visit the official Omani Ministry of Information website which features a full list (with contact details) of all the hotels you can visit within the Sultanate. It also has a comprehensive list of all the tour operators that operate within Oman. The website address is: http://www.omanet.com.

Q. What is the currency

A. The Omani Rial (written as RO) is the official currency; it is divided into 1000 baiza (bz). All major credit cards are accepted within the Sultanate.

Q. When is the best time to visit Oman

A. The best time to visit is between October and March.

Q. Where can I obtain information about Oman online

A. There are two really good websites: http://www.omanet.com and

http://www.arab.net/oman/oman_contents.html.

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By Karen Anderson